International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 252-262 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 252 Feature Review Open Access Phenotypic and Evolutionary Adaptations of Reptiles to Climate Change Hongbo Liang, Jia Xuan Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang Colloge of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: jia.xuan@jicat.org International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.15.0026 Received: 07 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 15 Oct., 2024 Published: 24 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Liang and Xuan et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liang H.B., and Xuan J., Phenotypic and evolutionary adaptations of reptiles to climate change, International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 14(5): 252-262 (doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.15.0026) Abstract This study explores the phenotypic and evolutionary adaptations of reptiles to climate change, emphasizing their ability to adjust through diverse short-term and long-term mechanisms. Phenotypic plasticity plays a crucial role in enabling reptiles to respond rapidly to temperature fluctuations and environmental shifts, as evidenced by changes in morphology, behavior, and reproductive cycles. Long-term evolutionary adaptations, driven by genetic variation and natural selection, further support reptiles in navigating climate challenges over extended periods. Specific genes under positive selection have been identified, contributing to critical physiological and morphological traits that enhance survival and reproductive success in changing environments. A case study of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) provides unique insights into how reptiles adapt to warming temperatures, and underscores the importance of both phenotypic plasticity and genetic diversity in sustaining population resilience. The findings underscore the role of reptiles in ecosystem stability, suggesting adaptive conservation policies to safeguard biodiversity under future climate scenarios. Keywords Phenotypic Plasticity; Evolutionary Adaptation; Climate Change; Reptile Conservation; Lacerta agilis 1 Introduction Climate change, driven by anthropogenic activities, has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century. The rapid increase in global temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and the frequency of extreme weather events are altering ecosystems and affecting biodiversity worldwide. These climatic shifts have profound impacts on natural systems, influencing species distributions, phenology, and interactions within ecosystems (Diele-Viegas and Rocha, 2018). The Earth’s warming is projected to exceed 4.8°C by the end of the 21st century, posing significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services. Understanding the extent and nature of these impacts is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. Reptiles, as ectothermic organisms, are particularly sensitive to changes in their thermal environment, making them excellent bioindicators of climate change (Zhang et al., 2023; Li et al., 2024). Their physiological and behavioral traits are closely tied to environmental temperatures, and even slight changes can have significant effects on their survival, reproduction, and distribution (Noble et al., 2018). Reptiles exhibit a range of adaptive responses, including phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation, which can provide insights into the mechanisms of resilience and vulnerability to climate change (Urban et al., 2013; Catullo et al., 2019). Moreover, reptiles occupy diverse ecological niches and are integral components of many ecosystems, thus their responses to climate change can have cascading effects on ecosystem structure and function (Du et al., 2023). This study seeks to identify patterns and trends in how reptiles respond to changing climatic conditions. By evaluating the role of phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation in mediating reptile responses to climate change, assess the impacts of developmental environments on thermal physiological traits and survival, and investigate the influence of climate change on reptile behavior, reproductive strategies, and population dynamics, the study will provide a comprehensive overview of the adaptive capacities of reptiles, highlighting the importance of integrating multiple ecological and evolutionary factors, and inform conservation strategies aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change on reptile populations.
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