Ecologia e história natural de lagartos Gymnophthalmidae em área serrana do semiárido brasileiro

The Gymnophtalmidae family is distributed from South Mexico to North Argentina, also occurring in the Caribbean region and in some continental islands of Central and South Americas; currently, 87 species from this family occur in Brazil, 15 of which have a known distribution along the Caatinga. Among the Caatinga species, some have a wide distribution in the different phytophysiognomies, particularly in more rustic environments, Vanzosaura multiscutata for example, while others are known for having a relictual distribution in areas with milder climate, generally in mountain environments where arboreal vegetation is predominant, as is the case for Anotosaura vanzolinia. Considering that during eleven years of studies on the Caatinga herpetofauna stricto sensu on the Northern Hinterland Depression in Rio Grande do Norte, only V. multiscutata was recorded and with the expansion of these works to Mountain areas and/or with arboreal vegetation and milder climate (exception areas or Caatinga lato sensu) in Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, A. vanzolinia was recorded, this work aimed to expand and deepen knowledge on the ecology and natural history of these species in order to identify possible factors that may justify their distribution. Two 20 days expeditions were conducted to each Mountain Caatinga area in Rio Grande do Norte, during the months of March and September 2014. Using active search and pitfall traps, 38 specimens of V. multiscutata and 18 of Anotosaura vanzolinia were collected. Considering the difference in samples, space use (habitat and microhabitats), thermal ecology and diet were analyzed for each species. Habitat use was similar, but V. multiscutata was found in environments with exposed grounds. For both species, positive correlations were found between body temperature and substrate and air temperatures, while negative correlations were found between body temperature and relative humidity percentages. Vanzosaura multiscutata and A. vanzolinia showed similarities regarding diet, with both feeding predominantly of insects, with greater importance rates for Hymenoptera/Formicidae (Ix= 29.6 e Ix= 40.1; respectively). Highest prey consumption volumes by V. multiscutata was Blattaria (36.8%) and by A. vanzolinia was Hymenoptera/Formicidae (22.8%). This works results partially confirmed the distribution patterns known for both species, aside from expanding and deepening knowledge on various aspects regarding ecology and natural history of gymnophthalmids lizards in the Brazilian semiarid region.

Grantor

Brasil

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Ribeiro, Matheus Meira

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Freire, Eliza Maria Xavier

• Gymnophthalmidae da caatinga
• Ecologia térmica e dieta de Vanzosaura e Anotosaura
• Distribuição de lagartos na caatinga

Statement dc:rights

• Acesso Aberto

Language dc:language

por

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://repositorio.ufrn.br/jspui/handle/123456789/24457

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repositorio.ufrn.br:123456789/24457