McGill University, in collaboration with researchers from various countries, delved into the repercussions of global warming on animal and plant species. Focusing on 460 cold-blooded animals, the study aimed to understand how temperature influences their habitat and potential changes in the face of climate warming. Unlike marine species, the research revealed that land animals, including reptiles, amphibians, and insects, are less directly affected by temperature in determining their habitat ranges.
Surprisingly, the study unveiled that species inhabiting higher latitudes are less likely to thrive in equatorial regions with compatible temperatures. Contrary to expectations, temperature alone doesn’t consistently limit species ranges; rather, negative interactions with other species, such as competition or parasites, play a crucial role in shaping their habitats. Lead author Nikki A. Moore emphasized the significance of these findings, noting that despite the intricate nature of ecosystems, general patterns in temperature’s role across species were identified.
Published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, the study aids in predicting how climate change might alter the global distribution of cold-blooded animal species. The research’s key revelation resolves conflicting hypotheses about life distribution on Earth. While conventional wisdom suggested that species ranges are more constrained by interactions than temperature in the tropics, the study indicates that higher-latitude species face limitations in tropical regions, supporting the idea of a trade-off between broad thermal tolerances and tropical performance.
In essence, the study sheds light on the intricate interplay between temperature and species interactions, offering valuable insights into the potential shifts in the distribution of cold-blooded animal species as the planet warms.
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