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de Souza Terra J, Ortega Z, Ferreira VL. Thermal ecology and microhabitat use of an arboreal lizard in two different Pantanal wetland phytophysionomies (Brazil). J Therm Biol 2018; 75:81-87. [PMID: 30017056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Temperature is one of the main environmental variables shaping the evolution and biology of terrestrial ectotherms. The Pantanal is the largest continuous wetland in the World. However, a lack of knowlegde still exists on the thermal ecology of terrestrial ectothems from this wetland. In this context, the thermal ecology of the lizard Tropidurus lagunablanca Carvalho, 2016 (Squamata, Tropiduridae) was investigated in the Brazilian Pantanal. The thermal ecology and microhabitat use of lizards from a riparian forest was compared to lizards from a park savanna. At both studied areas, air and body temperatures of lizards did not differ between sexes. Mean T. lagunablanca body temperatures were higher at the savanna compared to the forest, while air temperatures were similar in both habitats. The main substrates were tree trunks, with a frequency of approximately 90% of the observations. Lizards from the savanna used higher perches than those from the forest despite -in average- trees were higher at the forest. Lizard sun and shade exposure was similar for both areas. Lizards from both habitats showed similar strong linear relationships between body and air temperatures. However, lizard behaviour of using tree trunk perches differently under different sunlight situations suggests that these lizards actively thermoregulate. Further research on the thermoregulation abilities of this species, with a null hypotesis and behavioral observations will shed light on lizard thermal biology. Studies on the ecophysiological aspects of these lizards should be a priority to understand how they will react to climate change and which conservation measures will be more effective concerning their preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de Souza Terra
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Herpetologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, ZIP 79070-900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Zaida Ortega
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, ZIP 79070-900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Vanda Lúcia Ferreira
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Herpetologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, ZIP 79070-900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
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2
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Abstract
We summarize thermal-biology data of 69 species of Amazonian lizards, including mode of thermoregulation and field-active body temperatures (Tb). We also provide new data on preferred temperatures (Tpref), voluntary and thermal-tolerance ranges, and thermal-performance curves (TPC's) for 27 species from nine sites in the Brazilian Amazonia. We tested for phylogenetic signal and pairwise correlations among thermal traits. We found that species generally categorized as thermoregulators have the highest mean values for all thermal traits, and broader ranges for Tb, critical thermal maximum (CTmax) and optimal (Topt) temperatures. Species generally categorized as thermoconformers have large ranges for Tpref, critical thermal minimum (CTmin), and minimum voluntary (VTmin) temperatures for performance. Despite these differences, our results show that all thermal characteristics overlap between both groups and suggest that Amazonian lizards do not fit into discrete thermoregulatory categories. The traits are all correlated, with the exceptions of (1) Topt, which does not correlate with CTmax, and (2) CTmin, and correlates only with Topt. Weak phylogenetic signals for Tb, Tpref and VTmin indicate that these characters may be shaped by local environmental conditions and influenced by phylogeny. We found that open-habitat species perform well under present environmental conditions, without experiencing detectable thermal stress from high environmental temperatures induced in lab experiments. For forest-dwelling lizards, we expect warming trends in Amazonia to induce thermal stress, as temperatures surpass the thermal tolerances for these species.
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Interaction Between Morphology and Habitat Use: A Large-Scale Approach in Tropidurinae Lizards. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.3099/0006-9698-554.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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4
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Vaz-Silva W, Oliveira RM, Gonzaga AFN, Pinto KC, Poli FC, Bilce TM, Penhacek M, Wronski L, Martins JX, Junqueira TG, Cesca LCC, Guimarães VY, Pinheiro RD. Contributions to the knowledge of amphibians and reptiles from Volta Grande do Xingu, northern Brazil. BRAZ J BIOL 2016; 75:205-18. [PMID: 26691094 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.00814bm] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The region of Volta Grande do Xingu River, in the state of Pará, presents several kinds of land use ranging from extensive cattle farming to agroforestry, and deforestation. Currently, the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant affects the region. We present a checklist of amphibians and reptiles of the region and discuss information regarding the spatial distribution of the assemblies based on results of Environmental Programmes conducted in the area. We listed 109 amphibian (Anura, Caudata, and Gymnophiona) and 150 reptile (Squamata, Testudines, and Crocodylia) species. The regional species richness is still considered underestimated, considering the taxonomic uncertainty, complexity and cryptic diversity of various species, as observed in other regions of the Amazon biome. Efforts for scientific collection and studies related to integrative taxonomy are needed to elucidate uncertainties and increase levels of knowledge of the local diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Vaz-Silva
- Centro de Estudos e Pesquisas Biológicas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - R M Oliveira
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - A F N Gonzaga
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - K C Pinto
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - F C Poli
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - T M Bilce
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - M Penhacek
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - L Wronski
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - J X Martins
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - T G Junqueira
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - L C C Cesca
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - V Y Guimarães
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - R D Pinheiro
- Biota Projetos e Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
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de Oliveira DP, de Carvalho VT, Hrbek T. Cryptic diversity in the lizard genusPlica(Squamata): phylogenetic diversity and Amazonian biogeography. ZOOL SCR 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Deyla Paula de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal (LEGAL); Departamento de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM); Av. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 3000 69077-000 Manaus-AM Brazil
| | - Vinícius Tadeu de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal (LEGAL); Departamento de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM); Av. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 3000 69077-000 Manaus-AM Brazil
| | - Tomas Hrbek
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal (LEGAL); Departamento de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM); Av. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 3000 69077-000 Manaus-AM Brazil
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Moreno-Arias RA, Calderón-Espinosa ML. Patterns of morphological diversification of mainlandAnolislizards from northwestern South America. Zool J Linn Soc 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael A. Moreno-Arias
- Grupo de Biodiversidad y Sistemática Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales; Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Ciudad Universitaria Bogotá D.C. 11001 Colombia
| | - Martha L. Calderón-Espinosa
- Grupo de Biodiversidad y Sistemática Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales; Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Ciudad Universitaria Bogotá D.C. 11001 Colombia
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Oonincx D, van Leeuwen J, Hendriks W, van der Poel A. The diet of free-roaming Australian Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Zoo Biol 2015; 34:271-7. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D.G.A.B. Oonincx
- Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences; Animal Nutrition Group; Wageningen University; Wageningen The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Entomology; Department of Plant Sciences; Wageningen University; Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - J.P. van Leeuwen
- Biometris; Department of Plant Sciences; Wageningen University; Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - W.H. Hendriks
- Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences; Animal Nutrition Group; Wageningen University; Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - A.F.B. van der Poel
- Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences; Animal Nutrition Group; Wageningen University; Wageningen The Netherlands
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Ortiz M, Boretto J, Piantoni C, Álvarez B, Ibargüengoytía N. Reproductive biology of the Amazon Lava Lizard (Tropidurus torquatus) from the Wet Chaco of Corrientes (Argentina): congeneric comparisons of ecotypic and interspecific variations. CAN J ZOOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2014-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Herein we describe the reproductive biology of a population of the Amazon Lava Lizard (Tropidurus torquatus (Wied-Neuwied, 1820)) from Corrientes, northeastern Argentina (Wet Chaco). We describe the male and female reproductive cycles, minimum body size for adults, reproductive output, mean relative clutch mass, fat body cycles, and sexual dimorphism. Our results were compared with data on the reproductive biology of Brazilian populations of T. torquatus and congeneric species. In Corrientes, males of T. torquatus exhibited a continuous reproductive cycle, but with annual variation of testicular parameters associated with spermatogenic activity. In contrast, females were reproductive only from winter to summer (July–February), laying at least two clutches each of six eggs, on average, per reproductive season. The relative clutch mass and egg size values in Corrientes were the highest reported for the species. The annual cycle of energy storage (as fat bodies) was inversely correlated with reproductive activity in both sexes. Males differed from females in snout–vent length, head size, interlimb length, and tail length. We observed interpopulational differences in relative clutch mass, egg volume and mass, incubation period and hatching time, and the minimum body size for sexual maturity probably as a result of phenotypic plasticity or adaptation to local environmental conditions and likely both.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.A. Ortiz
- Laboratorio de Herpetología, Facultad de Ciencias Exacta y Naturales y Agrimensura, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Avenida Libertad 5460, 3400, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - J.M. Boretto
- INIBIOMA (CONICET – Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, 8400, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - C. Piantoni
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biosciências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, TR 14, no. 321, Cidade Universitária, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - B.B. Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Herpetología, Facultad de Ciencias Exacta y Naturales y Agrimensura, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Avenida Libertad 5460, 3400, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - N.R. Ibargüengoytía
- INIBIOMA (CONICET – Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, 8400, Río Negro, Argentina
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Sales RFD, Ribeiro LB, Jorge JS, Freire EMX. Feeding Habits and Predator-Prey Size Relationships in the Whiptail LizardCnemidophorus ocellifer(Teiidae) in the Semiarid Region of Brazil. SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY 2012. [DOI: 10.2994/057.007.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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10
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11
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Brandt R, Navas CA. Life-history evolution on tropidurinae lizards: influence of lineage, body size and climate. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20040. [PMID: 21603641 PMCID: PMC3094402 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of life history variation is central to the evolutionary theory. In many ectothermic lineages, including lizards, life history traits are plastic and relate to several sources of variation including body size, which is both a factor and a life history trait likely to modulate reproductive parameters. Larger species within a lineage, for example tend to be more fecund and have larger clutch size, but clutch size may also be influenced by climate, independently of body size. Thus, the study of climatic effects on lizard fecundity is mandatory on the current scenario of global climatic change. We asked how body and clutch size have responded to climate through time in a group of tropical lizards, the Tropidurinae, and how these two variables relate to each other. We used both traditional and phylogenetic comparative methods. Body and clutch size are variable within Tropidurinae, and both traits are influenced by phylogenetic position. Across the lineage, species which evolved larger size produce more eggs and neither trait is influenced by temperature components. A climatic component of precipitation, however, relates to larger female body size, and therefore seems to exert an indirect relationship on clutch size. This effect of precipitation on body size is likely a correlate of primary production. A decrease in fecundity is expected for Tropidurinae species on continental landmasses, which are predicted to undergo a decrease in summer rainfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Brandt
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Fernandes Kolodiuk M, Barros Ribeiro L, Maria Xavier Freire E. Diet and Foraging Behavior of Two Species ofTropidurus(Squamata, Tropiduridae) in the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil. SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY 2010. [DOI: 10.2994/057.005.0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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13
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Grizante MB, Navas CA, Garland T, Kohlsdorf T. Morphological evolution in Tropidurinae squamates: an integrated view along a continuum of ecological settings. J Evol Biol 2009; 23:98-111. [PMID: 19895656 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2009.01868.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Variation in squamate foot morphology is likely relevant during evolutionary processes of habitat colonization because distinct surfaces differ in energetic and functional demands for locomotion. We combined new foot morphological data with published information of limb and tail lengths to investigate evolutionary changes possibly associated with the differential usage of ecological settings by Tropidurinae species. Several traits exhibited significant phylogenetic signal, and we performed conventional and phylogenetic regressions of PC scores (retained from Principal Components Analyses of morphometric traits) on continuous ecological indices. Tropidurines from sandy habitats exhibit larger foot soles, opposite to the evolution of narrow feet in species that use branches and rocks. Also, species that usually move along trunks present longer femora. This study provides evidence for morphological adaptations associated with substrate usage in Tropidurinae, and suggests that opposite morphological profiles might evolve associated with the use of surfaces energetically and functionally contrasting, possibly leading to trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Grizante
- Department of Biology-FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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14
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Kiefer MC, Van Sluys M, Rocha CF. Clutch and egg size of the tropical lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Tropiduridae) along its geographic range in coastal eastern Brazil. CAN J ZOOL 2008. [DOI: 10.1139/z08-106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The tropidurid lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) has a set of populations inhabiting coastal sand dune habitats (“restinga”) along the eastern Brazilian coast. Despite its wide geographic range, there is no information about geographic variation in reproductive features among its populations. In the present study we compared some reproductive aspects of females in 10 coastal populations of T. torquatus, aiming to evaluate to what extension they vary geographically. The minimum size at maturity was relatively similar to most populations, but mean female body size had a considerable variation. Clutch size of almost all coastal populations of T. torquatus had little variation and was composed predominantly of two eggs. Interpopulational variation in the mean egg volume was relatively wide and strongly influenced by the variation in mean female body size. The data of the present study indicated that females of almost all coastal populations of T. torquatus produce, predominantly, clutches with two eggs and invest more energy in egg size instead of clutch size, probably as a consequence of morphological and environmental factors. The increased reproductive investment in egg size was confirmed by the values obtained for the relative clutch mass, which remained relatively constant along the coastal geographic distribution of T. torquatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. C. Kiefer
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109, 13081-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes (IBRAG), Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, 20550-019 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - M. Van Sluys
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109, 13081-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes (IBRAG), Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, 20550-019 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - C. F.D. Rocha
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109, 13081-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes (IBRAG), Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, 20550-019 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Ávila RW, Ferreira VL, Maidana C. Reproductive Biology and Feeding Habits of Stenocercus caducus (Iguanidae) in Semideciduous Forest in Central Brazil. J HERPETOL 2008. [DOI: 10.2994/1808-9798(2008)3[112:rbafho]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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KOHLSDORF T, GRIZANTE MB, NAVAS CA, HERREL A. Head shape evolution in Tropidurinae lizards: does locomotion constrain diet? J Evol Biol 2008; 21:781-90. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01516.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Macedo LC, Bernarde PS, Abe AS. Lagartos (Squamata: Lacertilia) em áreas de floresta e de pastagem em Espigão do Oeste, Rondônia, sudoeste da Amazônia, Brasil. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2008. [DOI: 10.1590/s1676-06032008000100016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
O presente estudo apresenta dados sobre riqueza e freqüência de captura de lagartos em áreas de floresta e pastagem em uma localidade em Rondônia (sudoeste da Amazônia) utilizando três métodos de amostragem: armadilhas de interceptação e queda, procura noturna limitada por tempo (encontro de espécimes dormindo sobre a vegetação) e encontros ocasionais. Foram encontradas 29 espécies distribuídas em nove famílias. A maioria das espécies (28) foi encontrada em floresta, enquanto que na pastagem foram encontradas oito. A maioria das espécies foi registrada pelas armadilhas de interceptação e queda (22), seguido pelos encontros ocasionais (16) e procura noturna (9). A curva do coletor apresentando dados de todos os métodos mostra que a partir do oitavo mês de amostragem não houve mais nenhum acréscimo de nova espécie nessa comunidade, evidenciando que a mesma foi bem amostrada. O fato de algumas espécies terem sido coletadas exclusivamente em apenas um dos métodos, demonstra a importância de se usar dois ou mais métodos de amostragem em estudos sobre comunidades. Essa redução de espécies se deve a retirada da cobertura vegetal e, possivelmente, às suas conseqüências: aumento das taxa de predação e de competição, dificuldades para a termo-regulação, perda de locais para abrigos e reprodução, diminuição dos recursos alimentares e perda de serapilheira.
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Costa GC, Colli GR, Constantino R. Can lizard richness be driven by termite diversity? Insights from the Brazilian Cerrado. CAN J ZOOL 2008. [DOI: 10.1139/z07-107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We test predictions of the Morton and James hypothesis, which states that high termite diversity promotes high lizard diversity. We explore consumption of termites by lizards in the Brazilian Cerrado, a system that shares many similarites with arid Australia whose fauna formed the basis for the original hypothesis. We found that Cerrado lizards prey heavily on termites. Several species had >40% of their diet consisting of termites, some species reached up to 80%. However, lizards prey on termites independently of their diversity in the environment and do not show niche segregation in relation to termite resource. Hence, our results in the Cerrado do not support the hypothesis that termite diversity can promote lizard diversity. The diets of Cerrado lizards have a high proportion of termites; however, the diets of desert lizards from the Australian and the Kalahari deserts have a much higher proportion of termites when compared with those from the Cerrado and the Amazon. Differences in termite consumption by lizards across ecosystems do not seem to be related to local termite diversity. We hypothesize that overall prey availability can explain this pattern. Several arthropod groups are abundant in the Cerrado and the Amazon. In deserts, other prey types may be less abundant; therefore, termites may be the best available resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. C. Costa
- Pós–graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Código de Endereçamento Postal 70910-900, Brasília, DF Brasil
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de Brasília, Código de Endereçamento Postal 70910-900, Brasília, DF Brasil
| | - G. R. Colli
- Pós–graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Código de Endereçamento Postal 70910-900, Brasília, DF Brasil
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de Brasília, Código de Endereçamento Postal 70910-900, Brasília, DF Brasil
| | - R. Constantino
- Pós–graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Código de Endereçamento Postal 70910-900, Brasília, DF Brasil
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de Brasília, Código de Endereçamento Postal 70910-900, Brasília, DF Brasil
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PERERA ANA, VASCONCELOS RAQUEL, HARRIS DJAMES, BROWN RICHARDP, CARRETERO MIGUELANGEL, PÉREZ-MELLADO VALENTIN. Complex patterns of morphological and mtDNA variation in Lacerta perspicillata (Reptilia; Lacertidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2007.00736.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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20
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Kohlsdorf T, Navas CA. Ecological constraints on the evolutionary association between field and preferred temperatures in Tropidurinae lizards. Evol Ecol 2006. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-006-9116-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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21
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22
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Kiefer MC, Sluys MV, Rocha CF. Body temperatures of Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata, Tropiduridae) from coastal populations: Do body temperatures vary along their geographic range? J Therm Biol 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2005.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Vitt LJ, Sartorius SS, Avila-Pires TCS, Zani PA, Espósito MC. SMALL IN A BIG WORLD: ECOLOGY OF LEAF-LITTER GECKOS IN NEW WORLD TROPICAL FORESTS. HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS 2005. [DOI: 10.1655/0733-1347(2005)019[0137:siabwe]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Kohlsdorf T, Garland T, Navas CA. Limb and tail lengths in relation to substrate usage in Tropidurus lizards. J Morphol 2001; 248:151-64. [PMID: 11304746 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.1026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A close relationship between morphology and habitat is well documented for anoline lizards. To test the generality of this relationship in lizards, snout-vent, tail, and limb lengths of 18 species of Tropidurus (Tropiduridae) were measured and comparisons made between body proportions and substrate usage. Phylogenetic analysis of covariance by computer simulation suggests that the three species inhabiting sandy soils have relatively longer feet than do other species. Phylogenetic ANCOVA also demonstrates that the three species inhabiting tree canopies and locomoting on small branches have short tails and hind limbs. These three species constitute a single subclade within the overall Tropidurus phylogeny and analyses with independent contrasts indicate that divergence in relative tail and hind limb length has been rapid since they split from their sister clade. Being restricted to a single subclade, the difference in body proportions could logically be interpreted as either an adaptation to the clade's lifestyle or simply a nonadaptive synapomorphy for this lineage. Nevertheless, previous comparative studies of another clade of lizards (Anolis) as well as experimental studies of Sceloporus lizards sprinting on rods of different diameters support the adaptive interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kohlsdorf
- Departamento de Fisiologia, IB, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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