Seasonal Thermoregulation of the

Introduced Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis

Mara Leyendecker
J. Pedro do Amaral
Junior major in Biological Sciences
Science and Health Department, Clermont College
McMicken College of Arts and Sciences
University of Cincinnati

November 14th, 2015

Introduction
In Cincinnati, commonly known as the Lazarus lizard.
Lazarus department stores were once well-known in Cincinnati.
George Rau, a member of the Lazarus family, contributed to
his family legacy in a different way
Between 19511952, he brought about ten of these lizards
from northern Italy (near Milan, close to lake Garda) to
Cincinnati.

Introduction
Temperature is the most pervasive physiological
parameter. Enzyme activity depends on temperature,
and thus all physiological and behavioral activities
depend on temperature.
Thermoregulation is the process whereby an organism
regulates and maintains body temperature within a
certain range.
Ectotherms are organisms that rely on external heat
sources to regulate and maintain body temperature.

http://shsapbiop3-taxa.wikispaces.com/Animalia-chordata-reptilia

Introduction

I hypothesize that when the thermal quality

of the environment decreases, the lizards
thermoregulatory accuracy will increase.

Materials and Methods

Operative temperatures

Body temperatures

Materials and Methods

Body temperature
(Tb): measured
directly from lizards
in the field with a
cloacal thermometer

Operative temperature
(Te): temperatures
measured in the field with
programmable
thermometers

Materials and Methods

Preferred temperatures

Materials and Methods

Selected temperature
(Tsel): temperatures
measured from lizards in
thermal gradient

Materials and Methods

The thermoregulatory indices

Thermal quality of environment (de)

Thermoregulatory accuracy (d

Thermoregulatory effectiveness (E)

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Results
Thermoregulatory indices for spring and summer 2014.

Thermal quality of
environment

spring

summer
01

summer
02

4.30

1.23

4.73

Thermoregulatory
0.00
Thermal
qualityaccuracy
of environment
has 0.02
varied from 0.02
spring to
Thermoregulatory
summer:
first it improved from2.17
spring to 0.68
summer 01,3.18
and then
effectiveness
became
worse from summer 01 to summer 02.
Thermoregulatory accuracy of lizards did not vary: it stayed close
to 0 (maximal accuracy) throughout the study periods.
Thermoregulatory effectiveness consequently also varied: first it
became worse from spring to summer 01, and then improved from
summer 01 to summer 02.

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Discussion
I failed to reject the null hypothesis, as the lizards
were consistently accurate in thermoregulation
even when the thermal quality of the
environment was not favorable.
Behavioral thermoregulation played a role in
keeping the lizards body temperature within their
preferred body temperature.
By and large, this introduced species seems to
have found in Cincinnati a very suitable thermal
climate, thus explaining perhaps its incredible
success.
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Discussion
Use infrared thermometer in addition to noosing in the
field to provide a means of comparison between both
methods.
Test color effects
Podarcis muralis bellies are varied in coloration.
It would be interesting to test whether lizards of one color are more
effective at thermoregulating than of the other.

Study on location in Italy and compare results from

Cincinnati lizards to those in their native region.

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Acknowledgements
University of Cincinnati
Dr. Urmila Ghia

University of Cincinnati Clermont College

Department of Science and Health
Dr. J. Pedro do Amaral (mentor)

University of Cincinnati McMicken College of

Arts and Sciences
WISE, 2014
IACUC approved the animal use protocol
Burl Holbrook Trestleview Farm
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THANK YOU!
QUESTIONS?

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