Critical thermal maxima of turtles: Validity of body temperature

Abstract

1. 1. At the critical thermal maximum (CTM) in turtles there are large head-body temperature gradients. 2. 2. CTM as measured by head temperature does not vary significantly with body size or heating rate, whereas if measured by posterior body temperature it does. 3. 3. CTM's measured by body temperature can lead to spurious conclusions. 4. 4. Temporal variations in CTM were detectable using head temperature but not when using body temperature.