Looking at the past to infer into the future: Thermal traits track environmental change in Liolaemidae^*

Abstract

The diversity of habitats generated by the Andes uplift resulted a mosaic of heterogeneous environments in South America for species to evolve a variety of ecological and physiological specializations. Species in the lizard family Liolaemidae occupy a myriad of habitats in the Andes. Here, we analyze the tempo and mode of evolution in the thermal biology of liolaemids. We assessed whether there is evidence of local adaptation (lability) or conservatism (stasis) in thermal traits. We tested the hypothesis that abiotic factors (e.g., geography, climate) rather than intrinsic factors (egg‐laying [oviparous] or live‐bearing [viviparous], substrate affinity) explain variation in field active body temperature (Tb), preferred temperature (Tp), hours of restriction of activity, and potential hours of activity. Although most traits exhibited high phylogenetic signal, we found variation in thermal biology was shaped by geography, climate, and ecological diversity. Ancestral character reconstruction showed shifts in Tb tracked environmental change in the past ∼20,000 years. Thermal preference is 3°C higher than Tb, yet exhibited a lower rate of evolution than Tb and air temperature. Viviparous Liolaemus have lower Tbs than oviparous species, whereas Tp is high for both modes of reproduction, a key difference that results in a thermal buffer for viviparous species to cope with global warming. The rapid increase in environmental temperatures expected in the next 50–80 years in combination with anthropogenic loss of habitats are projected to cause extirpations and extinctions in oviparous species.

The role of climate and maternal manipulation in determining and maintaining reproductive mode in Liolaemus lizards

“…In reptiles and other tetrapods, a high phylogenetic signal is associated with morphological traits (De Meyer et al., 2019; Pincheira‐Donoso et al., 2008; Tulli et al., 2009, 2011), performance traits may also show high phylogenetic signal (De Meyer et al., 2019). Thermal traits typically show mixed results, in some cases with low phylogenetic signal (Blomberg et al., 2003; Diele‐Viegas et al., 2018; Ibargüengoytía et al., 2021; Moreno Azócar et al., 2013). Our results indicate a strong phylogenetic pattern, probably as a result of a static evolution of thermal biology and physiology (Andrews et al., 1999).…”

Digest: Predicting the future by learning from the past in lizards’ thermal traits*

“…In this issue, Ibargüengoytía et al. (2021) examined several species across the genera Ctenoblepharys , Liolaemus , and Phymaturus , in the family Liolaemidae, to understand the main biotic and abiotic variables shaping species’ thermal traits.…”

“…To quantify different lizard species’ ability to regulate body temperature, Ibargüengoytía et al. (2021) measured lizards’ active body temperatures in their natural habitats. They measured lizards’ preferred body temperature in the lab (Fig.…”

“…In the lizard family Liolaemidae, the geological events posit ecological constraints and opportunities, leading to a high diversity of natural history traits, including reproductive mode, substrate affinity, and body temperature. In this issue, Ibargüengoytía et al (2021) examined several species across the genera Ctenoblepharys, Liolaemus, and Phymaturus, in the family Liolaemidae, to understand the main biotic and abiotic variables shaping species' thermal traits.…”

Vulnerability to climate change of a microendemic lizard species from the central Andes

“…For example, if the projected T a can increase 1.2 °C to 4 °C by 2050, many lizard populations could increase their metabolic rates 49 in detriment of their longevity 47 . Likewise, if climatic disturbances prompt shifts in the thermal environments, many lizards may reduce the proportion of time outside their shelters performing social, reproductive, feeding or basking activities (hours of activity, h a ) and increase the time spent in shelters (hours of restriction, h r ; sensu Sinervo et al 13 ) having a negative impact on growth rates, and phenology of populations, resulting in an enhanced risk of extinction 50 , 51 . This conclusion has been documented in Mexican lizards and Sinervo et al 13 predicted that many other species have higher probabilities of extinction when forced to have fewer hours of activity to reach their optimal body temperatures.…”