Temperate species underfill their tropical thermal potentials on land

In a recent paper published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, an international research group (including the CEM’s own Joey Bernhardt) explored the impact of temperature on species ranges in the face of climate change. The study, led by PhD student Nikki Moore at McGill University, analyzed the current habitats of 460 cold-blooded animal species and compared them to the areas where these species could potentially thrive based on their temperature tolerance.

Surprisingly, the study found that for terrestrial animals like reptiles, amphibians, and insects, temperature is not the primary determinant of their range. Unlike ocean-dwelling species, land animals exhibit a less direct sensitivity to temperature. Even though they could withstand different temperature conditions, their distribution is more influenced by factors like competition with existing species in those more tropical regions.

Understanding these patterns will be crucial in predicting how climate change will impact the global distribution of cold-blooded animal species. This collaborative effort involved researchers from Canada, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, Denmark, Australia, and South Africa.

Moore, N.A., Morales-Castilla, I., Hargreaves, A.L. et al. Temperate species underfill their tropical thermal potentials on land. Nat Ecol Evol (2023).