Lizards, lineage and latitude season 2

Ectotherms, including reptiles, are particularly susceptible to extinction from climate change. Reptile responses to microclimate can vary from population to population, so we need to understand how climate change affects species at the population level. Reptiles rely on attaining certain body temperatures for basic bodily function however increasing body temperature increases dehydration risk. Therefore, when investigating behavioural response to climate we must look at both temperature and humidity/water availability. Here we investigated behavioural response to microclimate in three geographically varied populations of pygmy bluetongues (Tiliqua adelaidensis), an endangered burrow-dwelling skink endemic to South Australia. Behaviour was monitored in the wild and in a common southerly translocation site. Behaviour varied with latitude; northern lizards prioritised surface activity and were only observed surface-active in moderate conditions and when the burrow was humid in both the wild site and the translocation. The similarity of behaviour in both sites suggest these lizards do not readily adjust to a new environment. Our results further suggest acclimatisation to new sites may take longer than two years for all three populations and may vary with latitude-of-origin. Despite this acclimatisation delay, our results indicate these lizards may cope with translocation as a mitigation strategy in the longer term.