Investigating mechanisms and costs of increased temperature variation in tropical and temperate dung beetles

Temperature profoundly impacts animal physiology, thus temperature fluctuations has major consequences for survival and reproduction of species. Temperature fluctuations may be particularly challenging for animals that have evolved in relatively constant thermal environments, like tropical regions, compared to those that have evolved in thermally variable environments, like temperate regions.

To understand how temperature fluctuations affect species from different thermal environments, this project will expose tropical and temperate dung beetles to increased temperature fluctuations and integrate data across levels of biological organization. Specifically, the researchers will quantify gene expression and physiological responses of tropical and temperate dung beetles to increases in
temperature fluctuation and then investigate how species responses affect survival and reproduction. The results of this work will support a greater understanding of sensitivity of animals from different latitudes to environmental challenges. Broader impacts of the research include training of graduate and undergraduate students in physiology and ecology in the USA and at international field sites, thus strengthening the students' global networks.

Our goals are to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying responses to temperature variation
for species separated by latitude, how these mechanisms affect physiological responses, and whether physiological adjustments can offset energetic demands and maintain fitness despite increased
temperature variation

Our work will shed light on
1) the molecular mechanisms underlying responses to temperature variation for species separated by latitude.
2) how these mechanisms affect physiological responses.
3) whether these responses can offset energetic demands and maintain fitness despite increased
temperature variation.