Ecophysiological Basis of Lizards Geographic Distribution

The mechanisms underlying species distribution have puzzled ecologists and evolutionary biologists for decades. As climate is a key factor influencing geographic distributions and determining range limits, understanding physiological interactions with climate can highlight how species manage to live where they live. In my thesis, I evaluated how interactions between physiology and climate shape the distribution of lizards. I provide a comprehensive analysis of how climate at global scales affect the physiology and survival of lizards, and how these animals modulate their physiology across geographic gradients (altitude and latitude). I highlight potential ecophysiological mechanisms that might influence the distribution of lizards.