Living among thorns: herpetofaunal community (Anura and Squamata) associated to the rupicolous bromeliad Encholirium spectabile (Pitcairnioideae) in the Brazilian semi-arid Caatinga

Abstract

Bromeliads are important habitats for reptiles and amphibians, and are constantly used as shelter, refuge, foraging or thermoregulation sites due to their foliar architecture, which allows for constant maintenance of humidity and temperature. This study aimed to identify the herpetofauna inhabiting the non-phytotelmata rupicolous bromeliad Encholirium spectabile Mart. ex Schult. & Schult.f. and to analyze the microhabitat usage of these bromeliads by different species in the Caatinga of northeastern Brazil. From January 2011 to August 2012, we collected data by active search throughout three paralel transects in a rock outcrop in the municipality of Santa Maria, state of Rio Grande do Norte. We recorded four species of anuran amphibians, six lizards, and seven snakes in the bromeliads. The average air temperature was lower and air humidity higher inside than outside the bromeliads, and bromeliads at the rock outcrop borders had lower temperatures and higher humidity than those at the center. We found a significant difference in the distribution of individuals throughout the rock outcrop, with most specimens found at the borders. We also found significant differences regarding the use of each microhabitat by the taxonomic groups, with lizards and snakes using green leaves and dry leaves evenly, along with fewer records in inflorescence stems, and anurans mainly using green leaves, with few records on dry leaves, and no records in the inflorescence stems. This study highlights rupicolous bromeliads as key elements in the conservation and maintenance of amphibians and reptiles in the rock outcrops of Brazilian semi-arid Caatinga.

The rupicolous bromeliad (Encholirium spectabile) as a keystone species for Brazilian semiarid biodiversity

“…Air humidity was higher inside (68.2 ± 1.1%, range: 59.2–79.0) than outside the bromeliads (50.6 ± 1.1%, range: 42.3–61.0), also with a significant difference ( t = −3.168, df = 4, P = 0.011; see Jorge et al. 2020 for details).…”

“…The lepidopterans interact with some species of ants in mutualistic relationships, such as the caterpillars of Strymon serapio butterflies, which interact with ants of the Crematogaster genus in the bromeliad flowers (Jorge et al. 2020, in press ). Some vertebrates, such as the white dove ( Columbina picui ), the small dove ( Columbina minuta ), the lizard‐of‐macambiras ( Phychosaura agmosticha ), and some species of snakes ( Thamnodynastes almae and Thamnodynastes phoenix ) use them as a reproduction site.…”

“…2015, Jorge et al. 2018, 2020), but a broad investigation regarding its importance for the biodiversity of a large variety of vertebrate and invertebrate associated species from different trophic guilds and ecological functions is still lacking. We have also tried to describe the type of use (e.g., foraging, shelter, thermoregulation, reproduction), the associated fauna makes of the habitat provided by E .…”

“…Encholirium spectabile is endemic to Brazil and is restricted to rocky outcrops in semiarid regions of the Brazilian northeast and southeast regions (Ramalho et al 2004, Jorge et al 2018. Recent evidence from the literature has suggested E. spectabile to be important for the biodiversity of certain animal taxa in rocky outcrops of the Brazilian semiarid region (Sales et al 2015, Jorge et al 2018, 2020, but a broad investigation regarding its importance for the biodiversity of a large variety of vertebrate and invertebrate associated species from different trophic guilds and ecological functions is still lacking. We have also tried to describe the type of use (e.g., foraging, shelter, thermoregulation, reproduction), the associated fauna makes of the habitat provided by E. spectabile, as well as their reliance on the use of this habitat (i.e., strong or permanent vs. weak or provisional).…”

The role of a rosette‐shaped plant (Eryngium horridum, Apiaceae) on grassland spiders along a grazing intensity gradient

“…Rosette-shaped plants, such as bromeliads and Eryngium spp., have intricate morphology with overlapping leaves, creating suitable microhabitats for several vertebrates (e.g. amphibians and reptiles; Jorge et al, 2020) and invertebrates (e.g. crustaceans, insects, and spiders; Frank & Lounibos, 2008).…”