| Popis: |
Norops cupreus inhabits lowland dry forests and gallery forests along the Pacific Coast of Central America. We used operative temperature models (OTM) to examine the thermoregulation of this species in Parque Nacional Palo Verde (Costa Rica) by conducting a field study in February 2003. Norops cupreus in Palo Verde appeared to thermoregulate during early morning hours, late evening, and during the afternoon to maintain their body temperature (Tb) < 33°C. Lower capture rates during the midday suggest decreased activity of N. cupreus during this period, perhaps because they actively searched for the coolest environmental temperature (Te). During the rest of the day, N. cupreus appeared to thermoconform, with mean body temperatures tracking minimum available Te. These results are similar to other observations reported for N. cupreus in Central America. |
