Erythrolamprus Miliaris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Squamata: Dipsadidae) a New Prey Item of Tropidurus Torquatus (Wied-Neuwied, 1820) (Squamata: Tropiduridae) in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Although ophiophagy is not a well-known event among neotropical lizards, occasional snake predation events have been reported for some species. For Tropidurus torquatus only one record of predation on Phalotris matogrossensis is currently known. Here we report the second record of ophiophagy in Tropidurus torquatus, adding a new prey item to its known diet, and we provide a review of vertebrate prey consumed by this enigmatic lizard species. Although when compared to other lizard species, T. torquatus has a substantial number of records documenting the predation of small vertebrates, these records are occasional and are likely the result of opportunistic events.