Abstract

We used intracoelomically implanted temperature dataloggers to obtain semi-continuous body temperature data and establish monthly thermal profiles for free-ranging rattlesnakes. We mimicked random and non-random point-sampling methods by selecting a single daily data point from all values or from restricted times of day to reflect common point-sampling constraints. Thermal profiles generated from point-sampling differed from those generated from semi-continuous sampling, and this difference was more apparent when point-sampling was non-random. We conclude that semi-continuous sampling provides a better estimate of thermal profiles, and that point-sampling methods are highly sensitive to deviations from true randomness.

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Biology

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URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/bio_fac/264