The thermal biology of the Phrynocephalus versicolor Kulagini bedriaga, 1909 (Squamata: Agamidae) on the northern border distribution range of the species in Tuva Republic

The influence of different temperature characteristics of the environment during the summer season no various aspects of vital activity of Phrynocephalus versicolor kulagini Bedriaga, 1909, was studied. In July three main patterns of behavior in active period were observed: basking (25,8-37,7°С), complex behavior (36-38,8°С) and secondary basking (23,4-37,3°С). The mean body temperature was 33,7±0,44°С. The preferred temperatures expressed via the value of mode are 36; 37°С. The thermoecological minimum and maximum of body temperatures during the period of observations were 23,4-38,5°С, of the enviroment temperatures - 22,0-33,7°С. The relationship of body temperature with all three temperature characteristics of the environment is characterized as being strong. The greatest dependence of body temperature is observed on the substrate temperature on the sun (r=0,89), and the lowest dependence - on the substrate temperature in the shadow (r=0,70). All mean arithmetic indices of males and females are compared. Besides, possibilities of using of such for temperature characteristics of reptiles are discussed in the article.