Accurate predictions of the potential distribution range‐shifting species are required for effective management invasive species, and assessments impact climate change on native species. Range‐shifting pose a challenge traditional correlative approaches to range prediction, often requiring extrapolation complex statistical associations into novel environmental space. Here we take an alternative approach that does not use occurrence data, but instead captures fundamental niche by...

The aims of this paper are to compare the thermal ecology four species varanid lizards that occupy a range habitats and climatic regions, assess efficacy methods for evaluating extent which ectothermic animals exploit their environments. Hertz et al. (1993) have proposed several indices thermoregulation, these evaluated with respect our data from lizards. thermoregulatory characteristics three tropical monitor (Varanus panoptes, V. gouldii, semiaquatic mertensi), temperate—zone rosenbergi...

While the physical environment is often viewed as that with which an organism must contend, and biotic including resources may be exploited, interactions occurring between portions of animal niches suggest animals also exploit their environments. The space time required for physiological optimal represent units thermal can quantified ecological resource. Characteristics experiences within its home range have been incorporated into measures to quantify quality respect temperature relations,...

We used simulations from a biophysical model that integrates interlinked exchanges of energy and water between frogs their environments to address questions about the limits thermoregulation adaptations for arboreality. Body size cutaneous resistance (Rc) both significantly affected body temperature (Tb) time desiccate 70% standard mass (an ecologically relevant metric desiccation). Cutaneous resistances < 25 s/cm allow basking elevate Tb several degrees above ambient, but Rc had little...

Significance Melanin pigments are synthesized in skin and hair cells called melanocytes provide color to protection against UV rays. Inadequate poses the risk of accumulating genetic mutations DNA cells, which can lead cancer. It also reduce folate levels, then causes birth defects. Therefore, understanding pigmentation is important for human health. There several protein components machinery that regulates work unknown ways. Two-pore channel 2 (TPC2) one them. Here we found TPC2 located...

Abstract Genetic diversity is a fundamental population genetic parameter, and predicts adaptive capacity. Neutral theory positive correlation between (or range) size diversity, but this can be confounded by other demographic processes. To investigate the role of range size, fluctuation introgression in determining we generate analyse population-level, genomic-scale SNP data from 21 species Australian Gehyra geckos (769 samples) that vary over three orders magnitude. Using best-practice...

The central Australian ant Melophorus bagoti is active during the hottest periods of summer day. Despite soil surface temperatures exceeding 70° C and air at height 50° C, this species did not cease midday activity. Individuals were able to survive 2.5 min under these conditions without thermal respite. During natural foraging activity, however, refuges used times In laboratory ants found have a critical maximum (CTMax) 56.7° for 1 h 54° Peak activity in field occurred when temperature was...

Most frog species show little resistance to evaporative water loss (EWL), but some arboreal are known have very high resistances. We measured EWL and cutaneous evaporation (Rc) in 25 of frogs from northern Australia, including 17 the family Hylidae, six Myobatrachidae, one each Bufonidae Microhylidae. These display a variety ecological habits, aquatic, terrestrial, specialisations, with complete range habits displayed within just hylid genus, Litoria. The this study resistances that Rc = 0...

The frillneck lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii is an arboreal that a conspicuous component of the reptile fauna wet—dry tropics northern Australia during wet season. During dry season, however, they are secretive, and previous study revealed this season remain perched in trees have field metabolic rates only 28% levels. Body temperatures (T b 's) lizards were measured by ratio telemetry throughout day seasons. midday T 's high (grand mean = 36.7°C) typical for heliothermic lizards, but...

Phylogenetic transitions from oviparity to viviparity in reptiles generally have occurred cold climates, apparently driven by selective advantages accruing maternal regulation of incubation temperature. But why, then, are viviparous so successful tropical climates? Viviparity might enhance fitness the tropics via same pathway as temperate zone, if pregnant female maintain more stable temperatures than available nests (Shine's manipulation hypothesis). Alternatively, succeed for entirely...

Mango is the most important commercial fruit crop in Northern Territory, Australia. Growers currently rely on insecticides to control insect pests of mango, resulting environmental and social problems. To reduce dependency insecticides, a suitable IPM programme needed. Previous work showed that weaver ants can major mango pests, but they protect soft scales, damage fruits by their formic acid annoy operatives during harvest. Further research addressing these constraints certain chemicals...

Hypolithic microbes, primarily cyanobacteria, inhabit the highly specialized microhabitats under translucent rocks in extreme environments. Here we report findings from hypolithic cyanobacteria found three types of (quartz, prehnite, agate) a semiarid region tropical Australia. We investigated photosynthetic responses cyanobacterial communities to light, temperature and moisture laboratory, measured microclimatic variables soil field over an annual cycle. also used molecular techniques...

Abstract A population of frillneck lizards, Chlamydosaurus kingii , was monitored by radio telemetry and mark‐recapture techniques between April 1991 1994, as part a landscape‐scale fire experiment, in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. The study aimed to investigate both the short‐ longer‐term effects on lizard species tropical savanna where fires are frequent often annual. Frillneck lizards able survive that occur first few months dry season remaining perched trees. high level...

Field observations and biophysical models were combined to analyze sleeping—site selection by Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus pallidus). Iguanas slept in different kinds of sleeping sites during seasons. In the coolest season (garua), adults found that warmer than a available. This may be because garua (cool, overcast, foggy) is time when environmental conditions mitigate against rapid warm—up mornings, so lizards regulate nighttime body temperatures it easier warm up preferred daytime...

Green tree frogs, Litoria caerulea, in the wet-dry tropics of northern Australia remain active during dry season with apparently no available water and temperatures that approach their lower critical temperature. We hypothesized this surprising activity might be because frogs are cooled nighttime gain from condensation by returning to a warm, humid hollow. measured mass gained when cool frog moved into either natural or an artificial In both hollows, condensed on L. resulting gains up 0.93%...

Invasive species provide a robust opportunity to evaluate how animals deal with novel environmental challenges. Shifts in locomotor performance—and thus the ability disperse—(and especially, degree which it is constrained by thermal and hydric extremes) are of special importance, because they might affect rate that an invader can spread. We studied cane toads ( Rhinella marina ) across broad geographical range: two populations within species' native range Brazil, invasive on island Hawai'i...

Abstract Seasonal physiological plasticity (acclimatisation) facilitates homeostasis in changing environments and has been studied extensively with respect to thermal biology metabolism. Less is known about seasonal changes evaporative water loss (EWL) response availability humidity. The wet–dry tropics of northern Australia experience moderate temperature changes, but substantial rainfall We three gecko species ( Amalosia rhombifer , Heteronotia binoei Hemidactylus frenatus ) the wet dry...

Abstract The influence of green ants, Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius), on insect pests cashew, Anacardium occidentale Linnaeus, in tropical northern Australia was investigated using field surveys and observations. abundant the native vegetation area, it a dominant predator when found cashew plantations. significantly reduced numbers four most important species ( Helopeltis pernicialis Stonedahl, Malipatil &amp; Houston, Penicillaria jocosatrix (Guenée), Amblypelta lutescens (Distant)...