Diet and helminths of Enyalius brasiliensis (Lacertilia, Iguania, Leiosauridae) in an Atlantic Rainforest remnant in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Our study aimed to add information about the diet and endoparasites of Enyalius brasiliensis from an Atlantic Rainforest remnant in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Regarding diet, E. brasiliensis consumed arthropods, with caterpillars and beetles being the most important preys. Regarding helminth parasites, overall prevalence was low (9.5%), with 238 nematodes of the genus Physaloptera found in the stomach of one specimen and one nematode of the genus Rhabdias inside the lung of another. Our results corroborate the observations of previous studies that indicate that lizards of the genus Enyalius tend to feed mainly on relatively large-bodied arthropods and to harbour depauperate endoparasite fauna.Keywords: feeding habits, forest habitat, lizard, Nematoda, parasitism Dieta e helmintos de Enyalius brasiliensis (Lacertilia, Iguania, Leiosauridae) em um remanescente de Mata Atlântica do sudeste do Brasil ResumoNosso estudo teve como objetivo adicionar informações sobre a dieta e endoparasitas de Enyalius brasiliensis em um remanescente de Mata Atlântica do estado do Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil. Em relação à dieta, E. brasiliensis consumiu artrópodes, sendo que lagartas e besouros foram as presas mais importantes. Em relação ao parasitismo por helmintos, a prevalência foi baixa (9,5%), com 238 nematóides do gênero Physaloptera encontrados no estômago de um espécime, e um nematóide do gênero Rhabdias infectando o pulmão de outro. Nossos resultados corroboraram as observações de estudos anteriores que indicaram que lagartos do gênero Enyalius tendem a se alimentar principalmente de artrópodos de grande porte e abrigar uma fauna depauperada de endoparasitas.

Trophic ecology, microhabitat specificity and morphology of Gymnodactylus darwinii Gray, 1845 (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) in an Atlantic Forest remnant in north‐eastern Brazil

“…Smaller prey tends to be less advantageous in terms of energy for larger individuals, while consuming larger prey results in a positive energy balance (Dorigo et al, 2014;Eloy de Amorim et al, 2017) leading, to a wider body and head size conditions which facilitates the ingestion of larger intact prey (Dorigo et al, 2014). However, due to the weak correlation between prey volume consumed and morphology, prey ingestion tends to be random for G. darwinii, indicating opportunistic behaviour (Eloy de Amorim et al, 2017).…”

Infection patterns of helminths in Norops brasiliensis (Squamata, Dactyloidae) from a humid forest, Northeastern Brazil and their relation with body mass, sex, host size, and season

“…The high prevalence reported herein may be due to factors such as microhabitat use and host behavior (Aho, 1990; Goldberg et al, 2006). Rhabdias (Stiles & Hassall, 1905) are nematodes with monoxenic life cycles, with infection by active penetration of the larva through the skin of the host (Anderson, 2000), commonly found infecting the lungs of lizards (Goldberg et al, 2006; Vrcibradic et al, 2007; Almeida et al, 2009; Ávila et al, 2011, Ribeiro et al, 2012; Cabrera-Guzmán & Garrido-Olvera, 2014; Dorigo et al, 2014). For the genus Norops in Brazil, there are reports of species of Rhabdias infecting only the species N .…”

Feeding habits of Enyalius perditus (Squamata: Leiosauridae) in an Atlantic Forest remnant in southeastern Brazil

“…Previously, species of the genus Enyalius were considered as primarily arboreal lizards (Etheridge 1969). However, increasing evidence indicates that these animals also move Vitt et al 1996, Sousa et al 2000, Zamprogno et al 2001, Marques and Sazima 2004, Van Sluys et al 2004, Teixeira et al 2005, Sousa and Cruz 2008, Rautenberg and Laps 2010, Sturaro and Silva 2010, Barreto-Lima and Sousa 2011, Barreto-Lima et al 2013, Dorigo et al 2014. Enyalius perditus lizards were also sighted using perches above ground level (varying from 30 to 200 cm) in Serra da Concórdia.…”

“…These small to medium-sized diurnal lizards have arboreal habits, but also can be found on the forest E. leechii: Vitt et al 1996, E. bilineatus: Zamprogno et al 2001, E. iheringii: Rautenberg and Laps 2010, E. perditus: BarretoLima et al 2013, E. brasiliensis: Dorigo et al 2014. Studies on the diet of Enyalius species revealed that these lizards fed predominantly on arthropods that inhabit both the leaf litter of the level (Vanzolini 1972, Vitt et al 1996, Zamprogno et al 2001, Van Sluys et al 2004, Teixeira et al 2005, Sousa and Cruz 2008, Rautenberg and Laps 2010, Sturaro and Silva 2010, Barreto-Lima and Sousa 2011, BarretoLima et al 2013, Dorigo et al 2014. Enyalius perditus lizard that occurs in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest in the states of Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, et al 2000).…”