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We analyzed parameters of parasitism by helminths in a pair of sympatric congeneric lizard species (Tropidurus hispidus and Tropidurus semitaeniatus). Differences in their supracommunities (richness, composition, and abundance) and the influence of helminthic loads on minimum flight initiation distances and body temperatures were evaluated. We reported new findings of Piratuba digiticauda infecting T. hispidus and Oochoristica bresslaui infecting T. semitaeniatus. Parapharyngodon alvarengai was the most abundant helminth in both host species. Tropidurus hispidus individuals hosted a higher abundance and richness of helminths than T. semitaeniatus, with females of the former having larger helminthic loads than males. Dissimilarities between host species may be attributed to differences in their utilization of niche dimensions (time, food, and structural and thermal space), the occurrence of morphological differences that result in differential exposure to the sources and agents of infection, and/or differential immunological functions. Our data suggests that infection by P. alvarengai led to some limitations in locomotor performance of T. hispidus resulting in decreased minimum flight initiation distance as infection rates increased. Individuals opted for a prolonged period of immobility to avoid capture. There was a negative relationship between helminthic loads and body temperatures in T. semitaeniatus, possibly due to decreased activity and thermoregulation rates, and increased use of shelters by lizards with high infection levels to avoid predation.

In this study, we analyzed diet, sexual dimorphism and bromeliad use in three populations of the hylid frog Phyllodytes luteolus from restinga habitats along the Brazilian coast. We found 13 arthropods categories in 161 stomachs. Ants and termites were the dominant prey items. The similar trophic niche across populations suggests this species has a conservative diet. We found sexual dimorphism regarding body size and jaw width. We recorded P. luteolus in fi ve bromeliad species, but predominantly in Aechmea blanchetiana (35.6% of individuals recorded). We recorded solitary individuals in 44% of occupied bromeliads, and never found two males sharing the same bromeliad. The data is suggestive that populations of P. luteolus has a conservative diet independent of area, with ants and termites the being most relevant prey items. The sexual dimorphism in jaw and the solitary males may suggest that this species have territorial behavior.

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Feeding habits of Enyalius perditus (Squamata: Leiosauridae) in an Atlantic Forest remnant in southeastern Brazil. In the present study, we aimed to provide information regarding feeding habits and other ecological aspects of Enyalius perditus in an Atlantic Forest remnant in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Enyalius perditus individuals in Rio de Janeiro fed predominantly upon arthropods such as caterpillars, isopods, and spiders, as is typical of lizards in the genus. There were no pronounced variations in the main types of prey consumed between this and other populations of E. perditus studied in spite of potential differences in local food supplies between environments. The individuals consumed fragments of dead leaves, ingested prey commonly found in leaf litter (e.g., Isopoda and Coleoptera larvae), and were sometimes also use perches above ground level. Our study provides additional information and lizards of the genus Enyalius.Keywords: diet, leaf litter, lizard, microhabitat use, perch height. 22Phyllomedusa -15(1), June 2016 Resumo Hábitos alimentares de Enyalius perditus (Squamata: Leiosauridae) em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica no sudeste do Brasil. O objetivo do presente estudo foi fornecer informações sobre hábitos alimentares e outros aspectos ecológicos do lagarto Enyalius perditus em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica no estado do Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil. No Rio de Janeiro, os indivíduos de E. perditus alimentaram-se predominantemente de artrópodes, como lagartas, isópodes e aranhas, como é típico de lagartos desse gênero. Não houve variação pronunciada nos principais tipos de presas consumidas entre essa e outras populações de E. perditus estudadas, apesar de haver diferenças potenciais nos suprimentos alimentares entre ambientes. Os indivíduos consumiram fragmentos de folhas mortas, ingeriram presas comumente encontradas na serapilheira (e.g., Isopoda e larvas de Coleoptera) e foram algumas vezes encontrados no chão ou capturados em armadilhas-de-queda durante os trabalhos de campo, o que sugere que esses lagartos utilizam a serapilheira do chão da chão. Nosso estudo fornece informações adicionais e reforça a ideia do uso tanto da vegetação como Enyalius.Palavras-chave: altura do poleiro, dieta, lagarto, serapilheira, uso de micro-habitats.