A Multilevel Assessment of Plasticity in Response to High-Altitude Environment for Agama Lizards

Upslope range shifting has been documented in diverse species response to global warming. Plasticity, which refers the ability of organisms alter their phenotypes changing environments, is crucial for survival those that newly migrated a high-altitude environment. The scope and mechanisms plasticity across biological levels, however, have rarely examined. We used two agama lizards (genus Phrynocephalus ) as model systems transplant experiment comprehensively assess on multiple organization levels. Two low-altitude (934 m) species, axillaris (oviparous) P. forsythii (viviparous), were transplanted site (3,400 m). After acclimation 6 weeks seminatural enclosures, was measured from bite force, tail display behavior, gene expression, metabolome. Both capable acclimating environment without sacrificing performance but they also showed high behavior by either decreasing intensity specific component ( or trade-off between components ). Genes metabolites associated with lipids, especially fatty acid metabolism, exhibited significant differentiation compared individuals native habitats. Improved storage metabolism appeared be common among animals at altitudes. Despite distinct reproductive modes may differ physiological pressure, demonstrated concordance when faced novel Taken together, likely acclimate environments reducing behavioral activity increasing energy efficiency after shifting. Our results provide new insights into our understanding phenotypic its importance today’s climate.