Activity metabolism of the lizard Agama stellio stellio

Abstract

1. 1. Oxygen consumption and lactate production above resting levels, and selected body temperatures, were measured in the lizard Agama stellio. 2. 2. Active and resting V ̇ O 2 have low Q 10 (1.7, 2.0) in the activity range 30–37°C and higher 4.0) below this. 3. 3. A correlation was found between published resting and active V ̇ O 2 of lizards, and between V ̇ O 2 and lifestyle. Four types were recognized, in order of increasing V ̇ O 2 : (a) fossorial; (b) sit-and-wait (in A. stellio): (c) cruising, and (d) widely foraging. 4. 4. A. stellio has a high capacity for lactate production, correlated with its short but rapid bursts of activity. This accounts for 80–90% of the energy used during 30 sec maximal activity.