Thermal and energetic constraints on biogeography in changing environments

Differences in phenotype and thermal physiology affect how organisms interact with and are constrained by their environment, and may ultimately explain differences in the geographic pattern of biodiversity for endotherms and ectotherms.  I highlight how the difference in physiology of terrestrial vertebrate ectotherms (amphibians and reptiles) and endotherms (birds and mammals) is expected to influence their distribution and diversity.  Examining how thermal and energetic constraints shift in changing environments may enhance ecological forecasts.