Many lizards are known to alter their thermal ecology during pregnancy, although body temperatures oF pregnant/gravid females may either increase or decrease, depending on the species. Most of the data available on this phenomenon come from temperate taxa. In the present study, we compared field body temperatures (Tb) of pregnant females with those of nonpregnant females and males of three species of viviparous skinks (Mabuya agilis, Mabuya macrorhyncha, and Mabuya frenata) from southeastern Brazil. We found that pregnant females did not differ in Tb from nonpregnant animals (including males). Thus, reproductive condition did not influence body temperatures regulation by these skinks to a significant degree.
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1 September 2004
Field Body Temperatures of Pregnant and Nonpregnant Females of Three Species of Viviparous Skinks (Mabuya) from Southeastern Brazil
Davor Vrcibradic,
Carlos F. D. Rocha
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