Seasonal Change Causes Shifts in Water Loss, but not Preferred Temperatures, of Top End Geckos

Presented by Kade Skelton
Reptiles lose a significant proportion of body water through the passive process of evaporative water loss (EWL). This can present challenges to survival in arid environments, where dry conditions increase the risk of dehydration. Additionally, adverse environmental temperatures may reduce the ability for a reptile to maintain an ideal body temperature; this can impact activity levels and overall fitness.
EWL rates and preferred body temperatures were measured in dtellas, a group of native nocturnal lizards. These physiological traits were compared across 18 species from Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with considerations of local climate and season. This study investigated whether EWL rates and thermal preferences differed across species, were associated with climate, and could shift to adapt to local conditions.
Kade Skelton moved from Western Australia to the Northern Territory to research crocodiles, first studying predator ecology for their Honours project at Charles Darwin University and then working with the reptiles in farming, tourism, and education. Kade holds a strong interest in the relationship between animals and their environment, leading them to pursue a PhD investigating the ecophysiology of nocturnal reptiles of Australia’s north.