Short-term change in water availability influences thermoregulation behaviours in a dry-skinned ectotherm.

Abstract

Mechanistic models of terrestrial ectotherms predict that climate warming will induce activity restriction due to heat stress and loss of shade, leading to the extinction of numerous populations. Such models rely on the assumption that activity patterns are dictated by simple temperature thresholds independent of changes in water availability. However, changes in water availability may further influence thermoregulation behaviour of ectotherms through dehydration risk perception, changes in water balance or changes in microclimatic conditions. Here, we experimentally assess the interactive effects of thermal conditions and water availability on activity patterns, shade selection and thermoregulation efficiency in a model ectothermic species. Thermoregulation behaviour of adult common lizards Zootoca vivipara was monitored in outdoor mesocosms as we manipulated water availability, providing water as mist in the morning and free-standing water during the daytime. We recorded operative temperatures and micro-meteorological conditions to infer thermal constraints and dehydration risk. Activity and shade selection were better predicted by continuous changes in thermal conditions and dehydration risk, respectively, than by threshold functions. In addition, water supplementation increased activity in males and reduced shade selection in both sexes, most probably as a behavioural response to the perception of a stronger dehydration risk. Water supplementation also influenced the thermal quality of the environment, which in turn altered daily activity patterns and thermoregulation statistics. This demonstrates that dual effects of heat and water stress on activity patterns may lead to stronger activity restriction as a result of climate change than currently predicted.