Diet of Teius oculatus (Sauria, Teiidae) in southern Brazil (Dom Feliciano, Rio Grande do Sul)

Abstract

We analyzed stomach contents of 58 specimens of Teius oculatus (D'Orbigny & Bibron, 1837) (20 adult males, 17 adult females and 21 juveniles) captured in Dom Feliciano, RS, Brazil, to evaluate diet composition and sexual and ontogenetic variations in prey consumption. Diet was composed of 15 prey categories, all arthropods. Orthoptera was the most frequent prey type. Quantitatively, termites were the most important prey item (59.5%). There were no significant differences between the diets of adult males and females. Ontogenetic differences were found, mainly concerning volume of prey consumed. Adult lizards ingested significantly larger prey than juveniles (U = 170.00; p < 0.001). Juveniles, although having a comparatively less diverse diet (10 prey types) consumed a larger number of items (45.7% of total). Diet similarity was higher between juveniles and adult males (Ojk = 0.97) and prey diversity was higher in the diet of adult females (H' = 2.65). Based on importance value index the most important item in the diet of T. oculatus was Orthoptera. We conclude that T. oculatus in Dom Feliciano has a relatively generalized diet and it is an opportunist lizard, feeding on arthropods, mainly insects.

Microhabitat use and diet of Anotosaura vanzolinia(Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) in a Caatinga area, Brazil

“…Vitt et al (2008) even claim that evolutionary history plays an important role in determining differences in diet amongst lizards. Study of the diet not only generates information about the types of prey, but also data regarding foraging strategies performed by lizards, as well as the importance of prey in their diet (Cappellari et al 2007, Kolodiuk 2008, Montechiaro 2008. Thus, the trophic relationships between lizards and their environment, together with the mode of foraging are some of the most important aspects of the ecology of these organisms (Rocha 1994).…”

Biologia reprodutiva de Cercosaura schreibersii (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) e Cnemidophorus lacertoides (Squamata, Teiidae) no escudo Sul-Riograndense, Brasil

“…Dentre os estudos realizados com espécies de lagartos em áreas de clima temperado na região Neotropical, destacam-se os com os teídeos Teius oculatus (Martori & Acosta 1990, Bujes 1998a, b, 1999, Blanco & Acosta 1998, Cappellari et al 2007, Teius teyou (Cruz et al 1999), Cnemidophorus lacertoides (Aún & Martori 1996, Feltrim 2002, Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Cruz 1996) e o tropidurídeo Liolaemus occipitalis (Verrastro & Bujes 1998, Verrastro & Krause 1994, 1999.…”

Spatial, Ontogenetic, and Sexual Effects on the Diet of a Teiid Lizard in Arid South America

“…Rocha (1989Rocha ( , 2000 showed that lizards can selectively consume highly nutritious food. Cappellari et al (2007) suggested that differences in diet between adult females and adult males or juveniles of the insectivorous Teius oculatus (Teiidae) could be a result of the behavior of gravid females, which are less mobile during pregnancy (Shine, 1980). Durtsche (1995) also found a difference in diet between adult males and females during the reproductive season in the omnivorous Uma inornata, but no differences have been detected in other lizard species (e.g., Magnussen and da Silva, 1993;Znari and El Mouden, 1997).…”