Climatic conditions changing over time and space shape the evolution of organisms at multiple levels, including temperate lizards in the family Lacertidae. Here we reconstruct a dated phylogenetic tree of 262 lacertid species based on a supermatrix relying on novel phylogenomic datasets and fossil calibrations. Diversification of lacertids was accompanied by an increasing disparity among occupied bioclimatic niches, especially in the last 10 Ma, during a period of progressive global cooling. Temperate species also underwent a genome-wide slowdown in molecular substitution rates compared to tropical and desert-adapted lacertids. Evaporative water loss and preferred temperature are correlated with bioclimatic parameters, indicating physiological adaptations to climate. Tropical, but also some populations of cool-adapted species experience maximum temperatures close to their preferred temperatures. We hypothesize these species-specific physiological preferences may constitute a handicap to prevail under rapid global warming, and contribute to explaining local lizard extinctions in cool and humid climates.

the heat?: a tale of ecology and evolution under two temperatures.Global Ecology and Biogeography, 22 (7). 834-845. 10.1111/geb.12053 Contact CEH NORA team at noraceh@ceh.ac.ukThe NERC and CEH trademarks and logos ('the Trademarks') are registered trademarks of NERC in the UK and other countries, and may not be used without the prior written consent of the Trademark owner. their geographic ranges to examine the relationships between these two measures. 49 Location: Worldwide 50Methods: We examined factors influencing body temperatures, and tested for the influence of both 51 body and mean annual temperatures on ecological and life history traits, while accounting for the 52 influence of shared ancestry. 53Results: Body temperatures and mean annual temperatures are uncorrelated. However, accounting 54 for activity time (nocturnal species have low body temperatures), use of space (fossorial and semi-55 aquatic species were "colder"), insularity (mainland species are "hotter") and phylogeny, the two 56 temperatures are positively correlated. High body temperatures are only associated with larger 57 hatchlings (contra the temperature size rule) and with increased rates of biomass production. Annual 58 temperatures are positively correlated with clutch frequency and annual longevity, and negatively 59 correlated with clutch size, age at first reproduction and longevity . High annual temperatures are 60 positively correlated with productivity and brood frequency, but negatively correlated with clutch 61 size, age at first reproduction, and longevity. 62

Resource availability, competition, and predation commonly drive body size evolution. We assess the impact of high food availability and the consequent increased intraspecific competition, as expressed by tail injuries and cannibalism, on body size in Skyros wall lizards (Podarcis gaigeae). Lizard populations on islets surrounding Skyros (Aegean Sea) all have fewer predators and competitors than on Skyros but differ in the numbers of nesting seabirds. We predicted the following: (1) the presence of breeding seabirds (providing nutrients) will increase lizard population densities; (2) dense lizard populations will experience stronger intraspecific competition; and (3) such aggression, will be associated with larger average body size. We found a positive correlation between seabird and lizard densities. Cannibalism and tail injuries were considerably higher in dense populations. Increases in cannibalism and tail loss were associated with large body sizes. Adult cannibalism on juveniles may select for rapid growth, fuelled by high food abundance, setting thus the stage for the evolution of gigantism.

The ability of an animal to shed its tail is a widespread antipredator strategy among lizards. The degree of expression of this defense is expected to be shaped by prevailing environmental conditions including local predation pressure. We test these hypotheses by