Upper thermal limits in terrestrial ectotherms: how constrained are they?

• Published in: Functional ecology Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 934 - 949
• Main Authors: Hoffmann, Ary A., Chown, Steven L., Clusella-Trullas, Susana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Blackwell Publishing 01.08.2013; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: adaptation; Biological taxonomies; Climate change; comparative analysis; Data processing; Drosophila; Ecological genetics; evolution; Extended Spotlight: Responses to global climate change: insights from organismal physiology; hardening; Heat; Heat tolerance; Human ecology; Insect ecology; insects; Lacertilia; Phenotypic traits; Phylogenetics; plasticity; Species; upper thermal limit

1. Terrestrial ectotherms are likely to face increased periods of heat stress as mean temperatures and temperature variability increase over the next few decades. Here, we consider the extent to which changes in upper thermal limits, through plasticity or evolution, might be constrained, and we surv...