Altered energy metabolism in an irradiated population of lizards at the Nevada Test Site.

Field metabolic rates (via doubly labeled water), body compartmentalization of energy stores, and energy assimilation efficiencies were measured to assess all avenues of energy utilization in Uta stansburiana living in a low-level gamma-irradiated plot in Rock-Valley, Nevada. Comparison of energy budgets for radiation-sterilized females with those of nonirradiated control lizards revealed several substantial differences. Sterile females were heavier, mainly because they had extraordinarily large energy (fat) storage depots. Sterile females had much lower rates of energy expenditure via respiration and lower rates of energy intake by feeding. These differences are interpreted as indirect responses to radiation-induced sterility. Gastrointestinal tract function in sterile females was normal. There is little evidence of direct radiation effects on physiological functions other than reproduction.

Lizard reflectivity change and its effect on light transmission through body wall.

Light transmission through the body wall of living, color-labile desert iguanas (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) was measured by spectrophotometry. In the dark phase, the body wall's absorption of ultraviolet light and visible light was approximately twice that of the body wall in the light phase. The shorter wavelengths of ultraviolet could penetrate the body wall in the light phase but not in the dark phase. The intensity and wavelengths of light which could penetrate the body wall without pigments are potentially mutagenic when judged by bacterial standards.