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Journal article
Unresponsive to change: Ectotherms fail to adjust physiology to daily temperature variation
Philosophical Transactions B, Vol.381(1946), 20250055
2026
Abstract
Daily temperature fluctuations are a ubiquitous feature of natural environments, yet our understanding of how ectotherms respond to thermal variability remains incomplete. Previous frameworks have predicted that exposure to variable thermal conditions should reduce the temperature sensitivity of physiological rates, thereby enabling ectotherms to maintain stable functions in fluctuating environments. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to test this hypothesis by synthesizing evidence from 26 studies examining the effects of daily temperature variation on ectotherm physiological rates. Our analysis included data on key physiological rates for broad groups of ectotherms. Contrary to expectations, our analysis reveals that daily temperature variability does not systematically reduce the thermal sensitivity of physiological rates in ectotherms. We found some taxonomic differences in thermal sensitivity, with reptiles and fish showing greater sensitivity to temperature variation, potentially exposing these groups to higher vulnerability under fluctuating temperatures. A lack of plasticity in thermal sensitivity suggests either limited capacity or limited need for plastic responses to predictable daily temperature variations. Ectotherms may rely on alternative mechanisms to cope with variable temperatures, including behavioural thermoregulation and acute physiological responses. Our findings challenge current paradigms in thermal biology and highlight potential vulnerabilities of ectotherms to increasing temperature fluctuations under climate change.
Details
- Title
- Unresponsive to change: Ectotherms fail to adjust physiology to daily temperature variation
- Authors/Creators
- Daniel Gomez Isaza - Murdoch University, Harry Butler InstituteEssie Rodgers - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
- Publication Details
- Philosophical Transactions B, Vol.381(1946), 20250055
- Publisher
- The Royal Society Publishing
- Number of pages
- 12
- Identifiers
- 991005872941007891
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Harry Butler Institute; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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