DIFFERENTIAL THERMAL-ACCLIMATION OF METABOLIC-RATE IN 2 POPULATIONS OF THE NEW-ZEALAND COMMON GECKO HOPLODACTYLUS MACULATUS (REPTILIA, GEKKONIDAE)

Standard metabolic rate (SMR) was determined for populations of the Ne w Zealand common gecko (Hoplodactylus maculatus) from warm (sea level) and cool (alpine) climates following acclimation to 5 degrees C or 25 degrees C. After 5 degrees C acclimation for 1 month and 4 months the relationship between oxyen consumption and ambient temperature (R-T c urve) of Craigieburn geckos (cool climate) was elevated with respect t o the Banks Peninsula population, giving a higher metabolic rate at an y test temperature, but after 25 degrees C acclimation the R-T curve w as lowered, The 5 degrees C acclimation produced a two-phase response in Craigieburn geckos: first, after I month acclimation, metabolic rat e was elevated, and second, after longer-term 5 degrees C acclimation, i.e., 5 degrees C for 4 months, metabolic rate was lowered below init ial levels. This greater metabolic plasticity of SMR exhibited by Crai gieburn geckos compared with their warm climate counterparts was inter preted as a cool climate metabolic coping strategy. (C) 1996 Wiley-Lis s, Inc.