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Postprandial thermophily in the Mourning Gecko \kur{(Lepidodactylus lugubris)}
KLEJCHOVÁ, Marie
In this bachelor thesis I attempted to demonstrate the occurrence of postprandial thermophily (PPT) and its association with time of day (morning vs evening), specifically in the Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris). I included 15 adult females of L. lugubris. Experimental measurements were conducted in a terrarium I constructed. Measurements were always preceded by a 3-day fasting period. The actual measurements were always carried out for 1 hour, before and after the individual was fed. Each gecko was measured 2 times in the morning and 2 times in the evening. Between each measurement, the gecko had a minimum 14-day break. The PPT results showed, but only in the evening and in the opposite direction. Geckos chose lower temperatures after feeding than before. This thesis includes a literature review on PPT and the species studied, experimental methodology, results and discussion.
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Postprandial thermophily in reptiles
STUCHLOVÁ, Klára
Many ectothermic vertebrates, including some species of reptiles, raise their preferred body temperature after feeding, termed postprandial thermophily. Postprandial thermophily enable the animal to digest its meal at higher rate. However, most studies documenting this phenomenon have relied upon laboratory thermal gradients, with grossly oversimplify an animal's environment and the thermal gradient data may sometimes be misleading. On the other hand, in field or field enclosure, thermoregulation is just one concern among many (such as reproduction, predator avoidance, foraging) and the current biotic and abiotic factors may influence actual thermoregulation behaviour of the specimen. So there is the need for caution in interpreting results. Future research into the thermal ecology of ectotherms should take special care in the design of experiments and methodology. Study animals should be given microhabitats that approximate those they prefer in the wild.
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