Ectotherms, more sensitive to climate change

The work determines thermal reaction norms for different species to quantify their vulnerability to climate warming.
The work determines thermal reaction norms for different species to quantify their vulnerability to climate warming.
Research
(13/06/2013)

Ectotherms, such as reptiles or arthropods, rely on external heat sources; therefore, they are particularly vulnerable to climate warming and they are exposed to daily fluctuations in habitat temperatures. Using a mosquito as a model organism, a study published on Global Change Biology led by Krijn Paaijmans, researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), affiliated centre with the UB and its health campus of International excellence, HUBc, has found that temperature fluctuation reduces rate processes such as development under warm conditions, and increases processes under cool conditions.

Climate change alters mean temperatures and daily temperature ranges. It is necessary to understand these effects to define thermal reaction norms for different species and to quantify vulnerability to climate warming. The study used the mosquito Anopheles stephensi as a model organism to observe whether the ʻfundamental' thermal reaction norms established under constant temperature conditions differ from those obtained under more natural fluctuating temperatures. Researchers generalized these effects for an extensive range of terrestrial insects.
 
 
 
 
Article:
Paaijmans, K. P.; Heinig, R. L.; Seliga, R. A.; Blanford, J. I.; Blanford, S.; Murdock, C. C.; Thomas, M. B. "Temperature variation makes ectotherms more sensitive to climate change". Global Change Biology, April 2013. Doi: 10.1111/gcb.12240

 

The work determines thermal reaction norms for different species to quantify their vulnerability to climate warming.
The work determines thermal reaction norms for different species to quantify their vulnerability to climate warming.
Research
13/06/2013

Ectotherms, such as reptiles or arthropods, rely on external heat sources; therefore, they are particularly vulnerable to climate warming and they are exposed to daily fluctuations in habitat temperatures. Using a mosquito as a model organism, a study published on Global Change Biology led by Krijn Paaijmans, researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), affiliated centre with the UB and its health campus of International excellence, HUBc, has found that temperature fluctuation reduces rate processes such as development under warm conditions, and increases processes under cool conditions.

Climate change alters mean temperatures and daily temperature ranges. It is necessary to understand these effects to define thermal reaction norms for different species and to quantify vulnerability to climate warming. The study used the mosquito Anopheles stephensi as a model organism to observe whether the ʻfundamental' thermal reaction norms established under constant temperature conditions differ from those obtained under more natural fluctuating temperatures. Researchers generalized these effects for an extensive range of terrestrial insects.
 
 
 
 
Article:
Paaijmans, K. P.; Heinig, R. L.; Seliga, R. A.; Blanford, J. I.; Blanford, S.; Murdock, C. C.; Thomas, M. B. "Temperature variation makes ectotherms more sensitive to climate change". Global Change Biology, April 2013. Doi: 10.1111/gcb.12240