BODY-TEMPERATURE, ACTIVITY CYCLE AND METABOLIC-RATE IN A SMALL NOCTURNAL CHILEAN LIZARD, GARTHIA-GAUDICHAUDI (SAURIA, GEKKONIDAE)

Body temperatures, standard and resting metabolism and diel activity p atterns were determined in Garthia gaudichaudi, a small (<1 g) gecko i nhabiting a Chilean semi-arid region. Field body temperatures were sig nificantly higher when lizards were inactive during the day than when active at night. In the laboratory, preferred temperatures during scot ophase were considerably lower than those selected during the photopha se, even wen high temperatures were continuously available. Activity p atterns appear to be better correlated with the photoperiod than with ambient temperatures (16-40 degrees C). Under a 12:12 LD photoperiod, 92% of the total daily activity was carried out during darkness. Stand ard and resting metabolic rates were lower than those predicted for mo st squamate reptiles of similar size, but appear to be within the rang es reported for other nocturnal xeric geckos.