Effects of body mass and temperature on standard metabolic rate of the herbivorous desert lizardUromastyx philbyi

The standard metabolic rate ofUromastyx philbyiwas measured at 20–40 °C, using constant pressure manometric respirometers. Standard metabolic rate was mass-dependent. Values for the mass exponent ‘b’ ranged from 0•75 at 20 °C to 0•82 at 40 °C. Standard metabolic rate increased as temperature increased with high Q10values at low temperatures (20–25 °C). Low standard metabolic rates in this species are probably an adaptation to herbivory in hot desert environments.