Altitudinal variation of the thermal biology and running performance in the lizard Podarcis tiliguerta.

We studied, in the field and laboratory, aspects of the thermal biology in two populations of the lizard Podarcis tiliguerta along a 1450 m altitudinal gradient. Body temperatures (T) at high altitudes average lower, are more variable, but are more elevated above environmental temperatures than at sea level. Lizards partially reduced the impact of altitudinal changes in thermal loads through presumable subtle behavioural adjustments.