The metabolic responses of the common iguana, Iguana iguana, to activity under restraint

Abstract

1. 1. In the iguana, standard metabolism increased with temperature with a Q10 of 2[middle dot]24. Metabolic scope was greatest at 32[deg]C, decreasing above and below this temperature. Resting and post-activity heart rates varied with temperatures with Q10's of 2[middle dot]0.2 and 1[middle dot]84, respectively.2. 2. Energy produced anaerobically by the production of lactic acid was shown to provide at least three-fourths of the total energy used during activity.3. 3. Glycogen reserves in the muscle were adequate to account for the production of lactate during activity.4. 4. The rapidity with which an iguana could remove an accumulated oxygen debt was temperature-dependent, and appeared to be greatest at the temperature where the metabolic scope was greatest.