Abstract
We used intracoelomically implanted temperature dataloggers to obtain semi-continuous body temperature data and establish monthly thermal profiles for free-ranging rattlesnakes. We mimicked random and non-random point-sampling methods by selecting a single daily data point from all values or from restricted times of day to reflect common point-sampling constraints. Thermal profiles generated from point-sampling differed from those generated from semi-continuous sampling, and this difference was more apparent when point-sampling was non-random. We conclude that semi-continuous sampling provides a better estimate of thermal profiles, and that point-sampling methods are highly sensitive to deviations from true randomness.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 91-96 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Thermal Biology |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2004 |
Keywords
- Body temperature
- Crotalus atrox
- Ectotherm
- IButton
- Point-sampling
- Rattlesnake
- Reptile
- Semi-continuous sampling
- Telemetry
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Developmental Biology