Thermal ecology and thermal landscape of Sauromalus varius
Data files
Mar 20, 2025 version files 81.45 KB
Abstract
Dataset shows data on the thermal ecology and thermal landscape of the piebald chuckwalla, Sauromalus varius, an herbivorous reptile living on a hot desert island in one of the warmest areas in the world. Data was collected during the warmest period of the year (July 2023). We recorded field body temperature (Tbfield), voluntary thermal limits (the voluntary maximum body temperature), the onset of thermal stress responses (e.g., panting), and critical maximum temperature (CTmax) at which righting response was lost.
We also determined thermal landscape available to the iguanas on the island. Temperature dataloggers registered temperature every 30 min during six days in the hottest month of the year. Temperature was determined for air temperature (at 150 cm above the substrate) and in the sun (30 cm above the substrate), and for microhabitats available to the iguana: substrate temperature in the sun and shade, under plants, under rocks, and in caves.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.d51c5b0cx
Description of the data and file structure
Files and variables
File: Thermal_ecology_and_thermal_landscape_of_Sauromalus_varius.xlsx
The dataset is presented in an excel file with three sheets.
The sheet called “Definitions” shows a list of all variables used with their definition and unit of measurement.
The sheet called “Sauromalus data” includes morphological data on the individuals included in this study and data on their thermal requirements and limits.
The sheet called “Temperature data” shows raw data of the temperatures recorded in the 32 dataloggers included in this study.
Variables (for a complete list and further information on measurements see the sheet “Definitions”):
Variables
Missing values are indicated by NA
Sauromalus data:
Sex: Sex of the individual (male or female)
SVL: Snout vent length (mm)
Bodymass: Body mass (g)
FieldTb: Body temperature measured immediately after capture (°C)
Tpanting: Temperature at the unset of panting (°C)
CTmax: Maximum critical temperature (°C)
Tfeces: Temperature at which feces were produced (°C)
Theadspasms: Temperature at which head spasms were observed (°C)
VTM: Maximum voluntary temperature (°C)
Temperature data:
Date_and_time: Date and time of the recorded temperature (dd:mm:yy, hh:mm:ss)
Air: Air temperature at 150 cm above the substrate (°C)
Sun: Temperature in the sun at 30 cm from the substrate (°C)
Substrate_sun: Temperature of sun exposed substrate (°C)
Substrate_shade: Temperature of substrate in shade (°C)
Bushwithoutleaves: Temperature below a bush without leaves (°C)
Bushwithleaves: Temperature below a bush with leaves (°C)
Rock: Temperature below a rock (°C)
Cave: Temperatures measured in a cave (°C)
Empty cells indicate no data is available.
Data on the thermal requirements of the piebald iguana Sauromalus varius during the hottest time of the year and its thermal landscape on the island San Esteban, Sonora, Mexico.
During July 2023 thermal requirements of 15 piebald iguanas, Sauromalus varius, were determined through tests on the island San Esteban, Sonora, Mexico. We obtained field body temperature (measured immediately after capture), maximum voluntary body temperature (at which the iguana sought shade), and maximum critical temperature (at which the iguana lost the righting response). Further, we registered the temperature at the onset of gaping (evaporative heat loss), production of feces, and spasms in the head muscles, signals of thermal stress. Also, time to reach these temperatures was recorded.
In July 2023, 32 dataloggers registered temperatures in microclimates on the island San Esteban, Sonora, Mexico. Dataloggers registered temperature every 30 min over 5 days. Data was obtained from air temperature (at 150 cm above surface; 2 dataloggers), temperature in the sun (30 cm above surface; 3 dataloggers), substrate temperature in the sun (2 dataloggers) and in the shade (2 dataloggers), temperature in the shade of plants without leaves (7 dataloggers) and plants with leaves (6 dataloggers), temperature below rocks (5 dataloggers), and temperature in caves (4 dataloggers).