Vital Limit and Evaporative Water Loss in Lizards (Reptilia, Lacertilia): A Critique and New Data

Activity influences evaporative rate and the only valid way of comparing rates of loss among individuals is to compare standard rates of loss (SRL), i.e. the rate of loss of inactive animals. Body size probably influences interspecific differences in SRL and survival time, but because of the operation of size-independent influences, is evident only when size differences are large. The chief mode of adaptation to xeric habitats is a reduction in SRL; lizards from habitats differing in degree of aridity had similar water contents and vital limits of water loss.