Geographic variation of resistance to water loss within two species of lungless salamanders: implications for activity

• DOI: 10.1890/es14-00360.1
• Publication Date: 2015-05-29T20:20:50Z
• Authors: Eric A. Riddell; Michael W. Sears
• Keywords: Energetics; Species distribution

For many organisms, constraints on activity increase energetic costs, which ultimately reduce the suitability of a particular habitat. Mechanistic species distribution models often use estimates to predict how organisms will respond climate change. These couple physiology and morphology with climatic data estimate potential activity. In turn, duration is used balance individuals at given location. Whether remain in positive net determines if location suitable for species. However, because these assume that does not vary across range, (and consequently energetics) are potentially misleading. To test consequence this assumption, we measured total resistance water loss ( R ) within two lungless salamanders Plethodon metcalfi P. teyahalee collected from locations along their elevational extent southwestern North Carolina. Because hydration state constrains salamanders, increasing would Here, leveraged natural changes environmental conditions an gradient determine modify different environments. We predicted low elevations have higher compensate warmer, drier may limit determined laboratory using flow‐through system temperatures (12°C, 18°C) three vapor pressure deficits (0.2 kPa, 0.35 0.5 kPa). , exhibited highest suggesting either acclimatization or adaptation local conditions. high but results reflect alternative pressures due differences behavior. The also suggest might temperature as cue capacity do so depends upon experienced nature. Moreover, show variation has alter over ranges species, illustrating importance incorporating geographic physiological traits predicting species' response climate.