On the Brink of Change? Environmental Drivers of Voluntary Thermal Maximum in South American Pitvipers

Author(s)

Diaz-Ricaurte, Juan C. ; Serrano, Filipe C. ; Camacho, Agustin ; Nogueira, Cristiano de C. ; Travaglia-Cardoso, Silvia Regina ; Martins, Marcio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Biogeography; v. N/A, p. 14-pg., 2024-10-04.

Abstract

AimWe test the relationship between the voluntary thermal maximum (VTMax; the temperature at which an individual actively retreats to a colder site) and geographical/environmental features in the distribution of South American pitvipers. Additionally, we explore the evolution of environmental temperatures and VTMax in species' ranges.LocationSouth America.TaxonSouth American pitvipers of the genera Bothrops and Bothrocophias.MethodsWe experimentally measured the VTMax of 15 species of South American pitvipers. We explored the relationship between VTMax and geographical/environmental features (e.g., latitude, topographic complexity and temperature) with PGLS regressions. Additionally, we explored the evolution of maximum (TMax) and minimum (TMin) environmental temperatures, as well as the Thermal Niche Breadth (TNB) and VTMax, using ancestral state reconstruction and testing for phylogenetic signal.ResultsMean VTMax values for South American pitvipers clustered primarily within the 34 degrees C-36 degrees C range, exhibiting little variation among species or clades. No significant correlations were found between VTMax and climatic or geographic variables. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that these snakes are absent from regions where maximum temperatures surpass their preferred thermal tolerances. Ancestral state reconstruction indicated divergent evolutionary pathways for thermal limits among species, independent of phylogenetic relationships.Main ConclusionsSouth American pitvipers unexpectedly exhibit similar voluntary thermal maximum values across a wide range of habitats and despite distinct phylogenetic relationships. Our results indicate that there is no strong climatic niche conservatism for South American pitvipers, with a likely weak selective pressure of VTMax. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/14087-2 - Thermal tolerances of amphibians and reptiles from the Cerrado, Atlantic Forest and Pantanal: relationships with ecological aspects and implications for conservation
• Grantee: Juan Camilo Diaz Ricaurte
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/20215-7 - Biogeography, biodiversity and conservation of cis-Andean squamate reptiles
• Grantee: Cristiano de Campos Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/12658-4 - Challenges to the conservation of amphibians and squamate reptiles, with emphasis on the Brazilian fauna: from basic information to conservation actions
• Grantee: Marcio Roberto Costa Martins
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/14091-1 - Effects of habitat disturbance on communities of amphibians and squamate reptiles: subsidies for management programs, species conservation assessments and conservation action plans
• Grantee: Marcio Roberto Costa Martins
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants