Higher than predicted endurance for juvenile goannas (Varanidae; Varanus)
Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Royal Society of Western Australia Inc.
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
School
School of Marketing, Tourism and Leisure / Centre for Ecosystem Management
RAS ID
5690
Abstract
Endurance of juvenile Western Australian varanid lizards was compared with that of conspecific adults. Among adults, endurance generally increased intra-specifically with increasing body size. However, juvenile varanids have a higher than expected endurance. Possible causes for this heightened endurance are discussed, and probably result from a relatively high maximal metabolic rate, as has been previously described for juvenile varanids. Origins of relatively high metabolic rates are unknown, but may be caused by greater oxygen affinity of juvenile haemoglobin when compared to adult conspecifics.
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
Clemente, C. J., Withers, P. C., & Thompson, G. G. (2008). Higher than predicted endurance for juvenile goannas (Varanidae; Varanus). Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 91(3), 265-267. Available here