Lizard assemblages on sandy coastal plains in southeastern Brazil: An analysis of occurrence and composition, and the role of habitat structure

Abstract

How to cite:OlIVeIRA JCF, PeReIRA-RIBeIRO J, WINCK gR AND ROCHA CFD. 2019. lizard assemblages on sandy coastal plains in southeastern Brazil: An analysis of occurrence and composition, and the role of habitat structure. An Acad Bras Cienc 91: e20170403.Abstract: Data on the structure of lizard communities in the different biomes and ecosystems of Brazil are still limited. In this study, we related the species richness, abundance and the spatial occurrence of lizards to the structure of the vegetation found on the coast of the state of espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, to determine whether habitat influences the structure of lizard communities. We conducted fieldwork in 2012, 2013 and 2014, collecting data in standardized samples. We analyze whether variables of vegetation structure influenced species richness and abundance, using Generalized Linear Models (glMs). We recorded 12 lizard species from eight families. In general, species richness and abundance were similar among sites. locally, we recorded the highest species richness in shrubby vegetation, open Clusia vegetation, and the restinga forest zone. Bromeliads explained the occurrence of teiids, although there was no systematic relationship between species richness and vegetation structure. Our results provide important insights into the characteristics of the lizard communities found on sandy coastal plains and contribute to the conservation of these species in these ecosystems.

A summary of reptile and anuran amphibian species from Brazilian sandy coastal plains: 31 years of sampling efforts of the “Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro”

“…We also studied the ecology of three of these species (A. nativo, G. littoralis, and G. abaetensis) in their community (e.g. Ribas et al, 1995;Hatano et al, 2001;Rocha et al, 2005;Dias and Rocha, 2014;Winck et al, 2016;Oliveira et al, 2019) and populational ecology perspectives (e.g. Teixeira-Filho et al, 2003;Dias and Rocha, 2004;Menezes et al, 2004Menezes et al, , 2006Menezes et al, , 2008Cosendey et al, 2016;Oliveira et al, in press).…”

“…Our studies also helped to fill important knowledge gaps on reptile communities of the sandy coastal plains of Brazil and significantly contributed with information for conservation of such environments. For example, we studied the effect of habitat structure on Squamata reptile (Dias and Rocha, 2014), and in five different sites in Espírito Santo state (Oliveira et al, 2019). Lizard communities on sandy coastal plains of Espírito Santo state tend to be similar regarding richness and abundance of species (Oliveira et al, 2019).…”

“…For example, we studied the effect of habitat structure on Squamata reptile (Dias and Rocha, 2014), and in five different sites in Espírito Santo state (Oliveira et al, 2019). Lizard communities on sandy coastal plains of Espírito Santo state tend to be similar regarding richness and abundance of species (Oliveira et al, 2019). In general, the highest lizard species richness is in shrubby vegetation and/or in open Clusia zones.…”

“…A few studies have presented preliminary checklists of reptiles (Araújo, 1991;Teixeira, 2001;Rocha et al, 2004b;Carvalho et al, 2007;Oliveira et al, 2019) and amphibians (e.g. Carvalhoe-Silva et al, 2000;Rocha et al, 2004a;2008b;Van Sluys et al, 2004;Bastazini et al, 2007;Silva et al, 2008;Wachlevski and Rocha, 2010;Telles et al, 2012;, Oliveira et al, 2020 from several areas of Brazilian restinga.…”

Metropolitan lizards? Urbanization gradient and the density of lagartixas (Tropidurus hispidus) in a tropical city

“…In Brazil, one of the most common lizards in open vegetation ecosystems is Tropidurus spp. that can be found both in rock and open ground environments (Carvalho, ; Oliveira, Pereira‐Ribeiro, Winck, & Rocha, ) making it a good candidate to succeed in the urban environment.…”