Ecogeographical rules, such as Bergmann’s and Allen’s, are grounded in the physical principles of heat transfer. However, most studies have focused on their prevalence across species rather than their underlying mechanisms. A closer examination of the physics of heat and mass transfer in animals reveals new insights that enhance our mechanistic understanding of body size and shape evolution. These insights may shed light on historical adaptations and ongoing morphological changes driven by climate change.
Sidney F. Gouveia is a professor at the Federal University of Sergipe, studying various aspects of macroecology, with a particular focus on the physical and physiological mechanisms driving species distribution, variation, and diversity.
