Organismal performance is strongly linked to temperature because of the fundamental thermal dependence of chemical reaction rates. However, the relationship between the environment and body temperature can be altered by morphology and ecology. In particular, body size and body shape can impact thermal inertia, as high surface area to volume ratios will possess low thermal mass. Habitat type can also influence thermal physiology by altering the opportunity for thermoregulation. We studied the thermal ecology and physiology of an elongate invertebrate, the bark centipede (Scolopocryptops sexspinosus). We characterized field body temperature and environmental temperature distributions, measured thermal tolerance limits, and constructed thermal performance curves for a population in southern Georgia. We found evidence that bark centipedes behaviorally thermoregulate, despite living in sheltered microhabitats, and that performance was maintained over a broad range of temperatures (over 20 °C). However, both the thermal optimum for performance and upper thermal tolerance were much higher than mean body temperature in the field. Together, these results suggest that centipedes can thermoregulate and maintain performance over a broad range of temperatures but are sensitive to extreme temperatures. More broadly, our results suggest that wide performance breadth could be an adaptation to thermal heterogeneity in space and time for a species with low thermal inertia.

中文翻译：

---

一种细长的半化石节肢动物树皮蜈蚣的热生态学和生理学

由于化学反应速率的基本热依赖性，有机性能与温度密切相关。然而，环境和体温之间的关系可以通过形态学和生态学来改变。特别是，身体大小和身体形状会影响热惯性，因为高表面积与体积比将具有低热质量。栖息地类型还可以通过改变体温调节的机会来影响热生理。我们研究了细长无脊椎动物树皮蜈蚣 (Scolopocryptops sexspinosus) 的热生态学和生理学。我们对野外体温和环境温度分布进行了表征，测量了热耐受极限，并为佐治亚州南部的一个人群构建了热性能曲线。我们发现有证据表明，尽管树皮蜈蚣生活在隐蔽的微生境中，但它的行为仍能调节体温，而且这种性能在很宽的温度范围内（超过 20 °C）都能保持。然而，性能的最佳温度和较高的热耐受性都远高于现场的平均体温。总之，这些结果表明蜈蚣可以在很宽的温度范围内调节体温并保持性能，但对极端温度很敏感。更广泛地说，我们的结果表明，对于具有低热惯性的物种而言，广泛的性能范围可能是对时空热异质性的适应。性能的最佳热性能和较高的热耐受性都远高于现场的平均体温。总之，这些结果表明蜈蚣可以在很宽的温度范围内调节体温并保持性能，但对极端温度很敏感。更广泛地说，我们的结果表明，对于具有低热惯性的物种而言，广泛的性能范围可能是对时空热异质性的适应。性能的最佳热性能和较高的热耐受性都远高于现场的平均体温。总之，这些结果表明蜈蚣可以在很宽的温度范围内调节体温并保持性能，但对极端温度很敏感。更广泛地说，我们的结果表明，对于具有低热惯性的物种而言，广泛的性能范围可能是对时空热异质性的适应。