Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Physiological correlates of natural activity and locomotor capacity in two species of lacertid lizards

  • Published:
Journal of Comparative Physiology B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

  1. 1.

    Physiological factors relating to activity metabolism were measured in two species of African lacertid lizards that differ greatly in natural foraging patterns:Eremias lineoocellata, a sit-and-wait predator, andE. lugubris, a widely foraging animal.

  2. 2.

    Maximal oxygen consumption at 37°C is greater inE. lugubris [3.22 ml O2/(gxh)] than inE. lineoocellata [2.49 ml O2/(gxh)].

  3. 3.

    Anaerobic scope and capacity at 37°C are greater inE. lineoocellata [2.56 mg lactate/(gx min) and 1.81 mg lactate/g] than inE. lugubris [2.12 mg lactate/(gxmin) and 1.40 mg lactate/g].

  4. 4.

    Relative heart mass and hematocrit are greater inE. lugubris than inE. lineoocellata (0.28% and 0.24% body mass; 30.1 and 24.4 respectively).

  5. 5.

    No significant interspecific differences occur in hind limb muscle mass as a percentage of body mass or in myoglobin concentration, citrate synthase or myofibrillar ATPase activity of hind limb skeletal muscle.

  6. 6.

    No significant interspecific differences occur in isometric contractile properties (twitch and tetanic tension, twitch rise time and half-relaxation time, and fatigue response to tetanic stimulation) of the iliofibularis muscle.

  7. 7.

    Organismal metabolic patterns of aerobic and anaerobic capacity reflect differences in locomotor capacity and natural foraging patterns of these species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bárány M (1967) ATPase activity of myosin correlated with speed of muscle shortening. J Gen Physiol 50:197–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew GA (1964) The roles of physiology and behaviour in the maintenance of homeostasis in the desert environment. Symp Soc Exp Biol 18:7–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett AF (1972) A comparison of activities of metabolic enzymes in lizards and rats. Comp Biochem Physiol [B] 42:637–647

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett AF (1980) The metabolic foundations of vertebrate behavior. Bioscience 30:452–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett AF, Licht P (1972) Anaerobic metabolism during activity in lizards. J Comp Physiol 81:277–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett AF, Ruben JA (1979) Endothermy and activity in vertebrates. tebrates. Science 206:649–654

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett AF, Huey RB, John-Alder HB, Nagy KA (1982) Activity physiology and behavioral capacity of two congeneric lizards. Physiologist 25:338

    Google Scholar 

  • Castellini MA, Somero GN (1981) Buffering capacity of vertebrate muscle: Correlations with potentials for anaerobic function. J Comp Physiol 143:191–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole RP (1982) Myoglobin function in exercising skeletal muscle. Science 216:523–525

    Google Scholar 

  • di Prampero PE (1981) Energetics of muscular exercise. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 89:143–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Else PL, Hulbert AJ (1981) Comparison of the “mammal machine” and the “reptile machine”: Energy production. Am J Physiol 240 (Reg Integ Comp Physiol 9): R3-R9

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleeson TT (1979) The effects of training and captivity on the metabolic capacity of the lizardSceloporus occidentalis. J Comp Physiol 129:123–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleeson TT, Mitchell GS, Bennett AF (1980) Cardiovascular responses to graded cctivity in the lizardsVaranus andIguana. Am J Physiol 239 (Reg Integ Comp Physiol 8):R174-R179

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemmingsen EA (1963) Enhancement of oxygen transport by myoglobin. Comp Biochem Physiol 10:239–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Holloszy JO (1973) Biochemical adaptations to exercise: Aerobic metabolism. Exercise Sport Sci Rev 1:45–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Holloszy JO, Booth FW (1976) Biochemical adaptations to endurance exercise in muscle. Annu Rev Physiol 28:273–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Holloszy JO, Oscai LB, Don IJ, Mole PA (1971) Mitochondrial citric acid cycle and related enzymes: Adaptive response to exercise. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 40:1368–1373

    Google Scholar 

  • Huey RB (1982) Temperature, physiology, and the ecology of reptiles. In: Gans C, Pough FH (eds) Biology of the Reptila, vol 12. Academic Press, New York, pp 25–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Huey RB, Pianka ER (1981) Ecological consequences of forgaging mode. Ecology 62:991–999

    Google Scholar 

  • Huey RB, Pianka ER, Hoffman JA (1977) Seasonal variation in thermoregulatory behavior and body temperature of diurnal Kalahari lizards. Ecology 58:1066–1075

    Google Scholar 

  • Huey RB, Bennett AF, John-Alder HB, Nagy KA (1983) Locomotor capacity and foraging behaviour of Kalahari lacertid lizards. Anim Behav (in press)

  • Marsh RL, Wickler SJ (1982) The role of muscle development in the transition to endothermy in nestling bank swallows,Riparia riparia. J Comp Physiol 149:99–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagy KA, Huey RB, Bennett AF (1984) Field energetics and foraging mode of Kalahari lacertid lizards. Ecology (in press)

  • Pianka ER (1971) Lizard species density in the Kalahari desert. Ecology 52:1024–1029

    Google Scholar 

  • Pough FH (1980) The advantages of ectothermy for tetrapods. Am Nat 115:92–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam RW, Gleeson TT, Bennett AF (1980) Histochemical determination of the fiber composition of locomotory muscles in a lizard,Dipsosaurus dorsalis. J Exp Zool 214:303–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Regal PJ (1978) Behavioral differences between reptiles and mammals: An analysis of activity and mental capacities. In: Greenberg H, MacLean PD (eds) Behavior and neurobiology of lizards. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Washington, DC, pp 67–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynafarje B (1963) Simplified method for the determination of myoglobin. J Lab Clin Med 61:138–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruben JA (1976a) Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during activity in snakes. J Comp Physiol 109:147–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruben JA (1976b) Correlation of enzymatic activity, muscle myoglobin, concentration and lung morphology with activity metabolism in snakes. J Exp Zool 197:313–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruben JA, Battalia DE (1979) Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during activity in small rodents. J Exp Zool 208:73–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Saltin B (1973) Oxygen transport by the circulatory system during exercise in man. In: Keul J (ed) Limiting factors of physical performance. Thieme, Stuttgart, pp 235–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Shephard RJ (1976) Cardio-respiratory fitness. A new look at maximum oxygen intake. In: Jokl E, Anaud RL, Stoboy H (eds) Advances in exercise physiology. Karger, Basel, pp 61–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Srere PA (1969) Citrate synthase. Methods Enzymol 13:3–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Taigen TL, Emerson SB, Pough FH (1982) Ecological correlates of anuran exercise physiology. Oecologia (Berl) 52:49–56

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, 92717, Irvine, California, USA

    Albert F. Bennett & Henry John-Alder

  2. Department of Zoology NJ-15, University of Washington, 98195, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Raymond B. Huey

Authors
  1. Albert F. Bennett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Raymond B. Huey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Henry John-Alder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bennett, A.F., Huey, R.B. & John-Alder, H. Physiological correlates of natural activity and locomotor capacity in two species of lacertid lizards. J Comp Physiol B 154, 113–118 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684134

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684134

Keywords

Search

Navigation