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The Effects Of Thermal Opportunity And Habitat On Physiological Performance In Ecologically Distinct Populations Of The Florida Scrub Lizard Sceloporus Woodi, Lauren K. Neel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An ectotherm’s ability to thermoregulate affects many physiological traits. Therefore, thermal factors are paramount when considering behavior, activity time, body temperatures, energy budget, and performance capabilities. The Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi) is a ground-dwelling lizard that occupies longleaf pine and sand pine scrub habitats in the Ocala National Forest. Here, this species’ habitat is maintained by either clear-cut logging in scrub stands, or prescribed burning in long leaf pine stands. These habitat types differ in their dominant vegetation, canopy cover, and availability of vertical perches and thus are ecologically different. I used biophysical models to measure the …