Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2014 Here be dragons: Functional analyses of thermal adaptation and biogeography of reptiles in a changing world Rory S. Telemeco Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons, and the Evolution Commons Recommended Citation Telemeco, Rory S., "Here be dragons: Functional analyses of thermal adaptation and biogeography of reptiles in a changing world" (2014). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 13898. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/13898 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Here be dragons: Functional analyses of thermal adaptation and biogeography of reptiles in a changing world by Rory S. Telemeco A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program of Study Committee: Fredric J. Janzen, Major Professor Karen C. Abbott Anne M. Bronikowski Eugene S. Takle David Vleck Michael F. Westphal Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2014 Copyright © Rory S. Telemeco, 2014. All rights reserved. ii This dissertation is dedicated to my parents, Christopher and Deborah Telemeco, who have always encouraged my love and curiosity for the natural world. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................... vi ABSTRACT………………………………. .............................................................. viii CHAPTER 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ……………………………. ......... 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 Dissertation Organization ................................................................................... 6 Figures ......................................................................................................... 10 Literature Cited ................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 2 AN INTEGRATIVE TAXONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE SOUTHERN AND PANAMINT ALLIGATOR SPECIES COMPLEX: COMBINING MORPHOLOGICAL, ECOLOGICAL, AND MOLECULAR EVIDENCE ……………………………................................................................... 19 Abstract ......................................................................................................... 19 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 20 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................ 26 Results ......................................................................................................... 35 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 43 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... 50 Tables ......................................................................................................... 51 Figures ......................................................................................................... 55 Literature Cited ................................................................................................. 64 CHAPTER 3 ARE EXTREME TEMPERATURES PHYSIOLOGICALLY STRESSFUL? THERMAL EFFECTS ON CORTICOSTERONE IN LIZARDS.... 74 Abstract ......................................................................................................... 74 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 75 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................ 81 Results ......................................................................................................... 90 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 92 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... 98 Tables ......................................................................................................... 99 Figures ......................................................................................................... 103 Literature Cited ................................................................................................. 106 iv CHAPTER 4 IMMOBILE AND MOBILE LIFE-HISTORY STAGES HAVE DIFFERENT THERMAL PHYSIOLOGIES IN A LIZARD ...…………………… 114 Abstract ......................................................................................................... 114 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 115 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................ 120 Results ......................................................................................................... 127 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 129 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... 137 Tables ......................................................................................................... 139 Figures ......................................................................................................... 142 Literature Cited .................................................................................................. 146 CHAPTER 5 MODELING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE-CHANGE INDUCED SHIFTS IN REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY ON TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT TRAITS ……………….....…………………… 155 Abstract ......................................................................................................... 155 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 156 The Model ......................................................................................................... 159 Estimation of Model Parameters and Description of Simulations ................... 163 Results ......................................................................................................... 165 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 167 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... 172 Figures ......................................................................................................... 173 Literature Cited ................................................................................................. 178 CHAPTER 6 GENERAL SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS …………….… 183 Literature Cited ................................................................................................. 189 APPENDIX A SPECIMENS EXAMINED FOR MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSES IN CHAPTER 2 .…………………………….....…………………… 193 APPENDIX B SEX DETERMINATION IN THE SOUTHERN ALLIGATOR LIZARD (ELGARIA MULTICARINATA; ANGUIDAE) ….....…………………… 209 Abstract ......................................................................................................... 209 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 210 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................ 211 Results ......................................................................................................... 213 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 215 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... 216 Tables ......................................................................................................... 217 Figures ......................................................................................................... 218 v Literature Cited ................................................................................................. 219 APPENDIX C ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CTE MODELING ……… 222 Estimation of Model Parameters in Painted Turtles ......................................... 222 Predicting General Effects of Climate Change and Phenology on Sex Ratios .... 225 Tables ......................................................................................................... 228 Figures ......................................................................................................... 230 Literature Cited ................................................................................................. 232 APPENDIX D AN ALTERNATE CTE MODEL …………….....……………… 234 Alternative Model for Describing the Relationship between Developmental Rate and Temperature ....................................................................................... 234 Tables ........................................................................................................