Abstract
Resting oxygen consumption (VO
2) rates of two desert agamid lizards,
Phrynocephalus arabicus and
Agama [Stellio] stellio brachydactyla, were determined in relation to ambient temperatures ranging from 10 to 40°C using a double-chambered, volumetric, closed system. Both species show relatively similar activity and preferred body temperature (PBT) ranges. Thermal dependence co-efficient (Q
10) value shifts reflect that
A. s. brachydactyla has a slightly lower mean PBT than that of
P. arabicus. However, the metabolic rate-temperature (M-T) curves display the enhanced body mass-specific VO
2 compared with the resultant obscured effect of the cooler microhabitats that
A. s. brachydactyla seeks and adapts to.