INVESTIGADORES
FERNANDEZ jimena Beatriz
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Stress on Andean and Patagonian lizards: Adaptations to environmental disturbances
Autor/es:
IBARGÜENGOYTÍA N. R; BORETTO, JORGELINA; KUBISCH, E; CABEZAS, FACUNDO; MEDINA S. M.; FERNANDEZ, JIMENA BEATRIZ
Reunión:
Workshop; 2do Workshop: "Fisiología Ecológica y del Comportamiento: Desafíos ante un mundo cambiante; 2015
Resumen:
The extent of adaptive responses to environmental disturbance depends on apopulation´s ability to behaviorally and physiologically buffer against changes and on the timing and magnitude of the disturbance. Volcanic eruptions cause great perturbationin populations and communities. The Puyehue-CordónCaulle volcano occurred on June 4, 2011 and dispersed about 100 M tons of pyroclastic material across the Patagonian Steppe to a mean depth of more than 30 cm,affectingmany reptile populations including severallizard species. At the other end of the spectrum, gradual but chronic increase in temperature due to climate change could affect reptile populations differently. We analyse the selective factors that mold the life histories of lizards of Patagonia. These includeincreased temperature and reduction of rainfall, reduced vegetative cover and food availability and the effects of volcanic ash deposition on locomotion. These studies seek to clarify understanding of stress caused by disturbance and the nature of population response. A review of various aspects of the life history of liolaemids located mainly at high latitudes and altitudes and possible physiological and behavioral responses to environmental restrictions imposed by climate change and volcanic ash will be discussed. Recent studies show that tropical and viviparous reptilesare more vulnerable to global warming due to a decrease in the amount of time suitable for vital activities. In contrast, reptiles inhabiting cold high-latitude environments of Patagonia and in the Andes could benefit from increased global temperatures; at present such species exhibit body temperatures below their preferred and optimal temperatures for locomotor performance. Similarly,the effects of deposition of volcanic ash on reptile populations of Patagonia appears to vary among speciesThe resilience of populations is linked not only to the current environmental conditions but also to whether they have been exposed to selection pressures from similar perturbations in the past.