The effect of elevation and temperature on metabolic intensity of Eulamprus kosciuskoi in Kosciuszko National Park

Abstract

The effects of size, elevation and temperature on the metabolic intensity of Eulamprus kosciuskoi (Kinghorn, 1932) were determined by measuring the metabolic rate of 25 skinks from two locations with a 200 m difference in elevation using closed system respirometers. Skink size did influence metabolic rate, but to a relatively small degree, suggesting other factors also play a role. Skinks from higher elevation had extremely high metabolic intensity at 18°C, possibly as this improves fitness. This would benefit them if they face greater intraspecific competition, more predation, different food availability or diseases specific to their environment. Skinks from the lower elevation increased their metabolic intensity with temperature in accordance with the metabolic theory of ecology. Surprisingly, skinks from the higher elevation followed the opposite trend, possibly to prevent overheating. This study demonstrates that skinks do adapt or acclimate to different environments, which could aid their conservation in the face of climate change. It contributes to our understanding of E. kosciuskoi and to the debate surrounding thermal ecology and metabolic cold adaptations in ectotherms. It also paves the way for further research into alpine water skink ecology and the effect of elevational gradients on physiology.