Non-Avian Reptiles of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: status of knowledge and commented list

Abstract

We assessed the current knowledge on non-avian reptile species composition in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), southeastern Brazil. We used published data in indexed journals and verified voucher specimens housed in two herpetological collections of the Museu Nacional (UFRJ), and the Laboratory of Reptiles (ZUFRJ). We also confirmed vouchers from Instituto Vital Brazil (IVB) and from the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ). We compiled a list containing 149 species of reptiles, distributed among Testudines (N = 15), Crocodylia (N = 1) and Squamata (N = 133; six amphisbaenians, 38 lizards and 89 snakes). Our results add 20 species to the previous list known for the state. Four species recorded are endemic to the state of Rio de Janeiro (Anolis neglectus, Glaucomastix littoralis, Leposternon scutigerum, and Liolaemus lutzae). We identified that 21 reptile species recorded in RJ state (nearly 15% of the total) are included in some threat category either in the IUCN, Brazilian (ICMBio) or state lists of endangered species. We also report that seven of the reptiles recorded are non-indigenous to the state: Cnemidophorus aff. lemniscatus (= Cnemidophorus cryptus), Anolis sagrei, Trachemys scripta, Trachemys dorbigni, Hemidactylus mabouia, Crotalus durissus terrificus, and Rhinoclemmys punctularia. The checklist presented here provides a comprehensive database for further research on the herpetofauna of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Amphibians and reptiles from the Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Brazil, one of the world’s largest urban forests

“…Considering both the records obtained during our fieldwork and from secondary data, the park's amphibian species richness would amount to at least 38 species, which represent 19% of the amphibians known to occur in the state (N = 201 species; Dorigo et al 2018), 6% of the amphibian species from Atlantic Rainforest (N = 600; Rossa-Feres et al 2017), and 3% of the amphibian fauna of Brazil (N = 1,136; Segalla et al 2019). The combination of primary and secondary data also indicates the occurrence of 36 reptile species in the PNT, which represent 24% of the reptiles known to occur in the whole Rio de Janeiro state (N = 149; Oliveira et al 2020), 12% of the species recorded in the Atlantic Rainforest (N = 300; Tozetti et al 2017), and 4% of the country's reptilian diversity (N = 795 species; Costa & Bérnils 2018). When considering the sampled area and the effort employed, the number of amphibian and reptile species recorded during surveys in PNT is consistent with the expected.…”

“…Trachemys scripta has been recorded in disturbed areas within the PNT, probably as the result of intentional release of animals raised as pets. It is still unclear whether this exotic species has established a viable population in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Oliveira et al 2020).…”

“…Approximately 625 amphibian species (Haddad et al 2013) and 300 reptiles (Tozetti et al 2017) are known to occur in this biome, and new species are still being steadily described (e.g., Cruz et al 2019, Maciel et al 2019, Prates et al 2019). In the state of Rio de Janeiro, 201 species of amphibian have been recorded, including 197 anurans and four caecilians (Dorigo et al 2018), together with 149 reptiles (Oliveira et al 2020). This state has a high rate of endemism of both amphibians (Dorigo et al 2018) and reptiles (Tozetti et al 2017), and its metropolitan region is considered to be an important area for the conservation of Brazilian biodiversity (Oliveira et al 2019).…”

Vetores de mudança diretos e indiretos que afetam a introdução, o estabelecimento e a disseminação de espécies exóticas invasoras

“…Em 2017, Oliveira et al (2018) registraram o lagarto Anolis sagrei na vegetação dentro dos limites do Aeroporto Internacional Antônio Carlos Jobim (Galeão), Rio de Janeiro. Nativo de Cuba, Bahamas e Ilhas Cayman, este lagarto já é considerado invasor em diversos países das Américas e na Ásia (Kolbe et al, 2004, Oliveira et al 2020. No mesmo aeroporto, também foi observada uma população estabelecida de calangos azuis, Cnemidophorus lemniscatus, nativos originalmente da região amazônica (Oliveira et al 2020).…”

Occupancy and detectability of a critically threatened lizard endemic from sandy coastal plains areas of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

“…This lizard lives in a narrow strip up to about 100 m wide of the restinga beach habitats (Rocha, 1991), which are covered by herbaceous and shrubby vegetation adapted to a sandy and saline soil with low nutrient content (Lacerda et al., 1984). The species is one of the four endemic squamates of the state, along with Anolis neglectus , Glaucomastix littoralis and Leposternon scutigerum (Oliveira et al., 2020). This lizard has been referenced in recent literature on ecological modelling as one of the lizard species predicted to be extinct by 2080 (Sinervo et al., 2010).…”