Substrate thermal properties influence ventral brightness evolution in ectotherms

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01524-w
• Publication Date: 2021-01-04T11:02:41Z
• Authors: Jonathan Goldenberg; Liliana D’Alba; Karen Bisschop; Bram Vanthournout; Matthew D. Shawkey
• Keywords: Ectotherm

Abstract The thermal environment can affect the evolution of morpho-behavioral adaptations ectotherms. Heat is transferred from substrates to organisms by conduction and reflected radiation. Because brightness influences degree heat absorption, could integumentary optical properties. Here, we show that vipers (Squamata:Viperidae) inhabiting hot, highly radiative superficially conductive have evolved bright ventra for efficient transfer. We analyzed 4161 publicly available images 126 species, found substrate type, alongside latitude body mass, strongly ventral brightness. Substrate type also significantly affects dorsal brightness, but this associated with different selective forces: activity-pattern altitude. Ancestral estimation analysis suggests ancestral condition was likely moderately and, following divergence events, some species convergently increased their Vipers diversified during Miocene enhancement may facilitated exploitation arid grounds. provide evidence integument impact behavioral ecology