|
|
As data accumulate for temperature regulation in lizards it becomes apparent that mean body temperatures in the field and in a laboratory gradient may differ significantly. This is true for both diurnal (De Witt, 1967; Licht, 1968, McGinnis, 1966) and nocturnal (Bustard, 1967) species. Since preferred temperatures are often used in the evaluation of other reptilian functions such as hearing sensitivity (Campbell, 1969), thermal tolerance (Kour and Hutchison, 1970) and spermatogenesis (Licht, 1965), more studies directed towards documentation of temperature parameters seem appropriate. I have tried to determine more precisely the preferred body temperature (PBT) and temperature tolerance (critical thermal maximum...
|
The effect of body temperature on the learning of Lashley mazes I and II was studied with the desert iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Indices of learning were error scores, number of trials to criterion, and running time. Four temperature groups were studied. Lizards trained at 22 �C did not exceed chance levels after 125 trials. A 27 �C and a 32 �C group successfully learned both mazes with fewer errors and less trials in the higher temperature group. Temperature coefficients for these two temperature groups were 3�1 on maze I and 2�3 on maze II. A second 32 �C group trained only on maze II did not differ significantly in trials and error scores from the 32 �C group experienced on maze I. However, variability within...
|
|
