10.6084/m9.figshare.6958439.v1 J. P. DeLong J. P. DeLong G. Bachman G. Bachman J. P. Gibert J. P. Gibert T. M. Luhring T. M. Luhring K. L. Montooth K. L. Montooth A. Neyer A. Neyer B. Reed B. Reed Data sources, metadata, and fits from Habitat, latitude and body mass influence the temperature dependence of metabolic rate The Royal Society 2018 metabolic rate hotter is better colder is better metabolic cold adaptation climate adaptation 2018-08-11 11:45:32 Journal contribution https://rs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Data_sources_metadata_and_fits_from_Habitat_latitude_and_body_mass_influence_the_temperature_dependence_of_metabolic_rate/6958439 The sensitivity of metabolic rate to temperature constrains the climate in which ectotherms can function, yet the temperature dependence of metabolic rate may evolve in response to biotic and abiotic factors. We compiled a dataset on the temperature dependence of metabolic rate for heterotrophic ectotherms from studies that show a peak in metabolic rate at an optimal temperature (i.e. that describe the thermal performance curve for metabolic rate). We found that peak metabolic rates were lower in aquatic than terrestrial habitats and increased with body mass, latitude and the optimal temperature. In addition, the optimal temperature decreased with latitude. These results support competing hypotheses about metabolic rate adaptation, with hotter being better in the tropics but colder being better towards the poles. Moreover, our results suggest that the temperature dependence of metabolic rate is more complex than previously suggested.