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Date of Award

5-1998

Document Type

Restricted Thesis: Campus only access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Penny Reynolds

Abstract

The experiment that was designed for this semester was based on the inability of ectothermic animals to utilize energy in order to maintain their body temperature. This characteristic allows the animal to be used for experiements that test the effects of temperature on the physiological functions of the animal because the body temperature can be manipulated within the limits of the animal's tolerance. Previous studies have shown in particular the effects of changing th ebody temperature on the digestive processes of different reptiles, and the experiment chosen for this semester originally going to use the lizard Eumeces fasciatus as the experiment animal, commonly known as the five-lined skink. However the animals that had been captured for the test study disappeared from the cage over the December break, and the skink hibernates during the winter so no more could be obtained for th estudy. This problem led to the use of Anolis carolinensis as the experimental animal becaus eof its easy availability even though it is not native to Virginia. Anolis carolinensis (anole) is a type of lizard that is found in the southeastern part of the United States. Thi slizard is the common chameleon found in most pet stores that are known to change color. The color change of the anole is actually associated with changes in temperature and stress rather than a camouflage technique. Lizards that are sleepin gin the shade are often brown an dlizards that have been disturbed or are actively baskin in the sun are bright green. In their natural habitats these lizards are found in flatwoods, sandy pine forests, scrub oak forests and other wooded areas. They often make their homes in the trees rather than on the ground and although they tend to hide during the winter months, they have been spotte doutside on sunny days.

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