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

• Published in: Biota neotropica Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 193 - 198
• Main Authors: Oliveira, Bruno Halluan Soares de, Pessanha, André Luiz Machado
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Instituto Virtual da Biodiversidade | BIOTA - FAPESP 01.09.2013
• Subjects: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION; forrageio; gymnophthalmid lizard; fossorial lizards; foraging; ecologia alimentar; feeding ecology; lagartos fossoriais; lagartos gimnoftalmídeos
• ISSN: 1676-0611; 1676-0611
• DOI: 10.1590/S1676-06032013000300022

This study aimed to analyze the microhabitat use and diet of the lizard Gymnophthalmidae Anotosaura vanzolinia (Dixon 1974) in the Complexo Aluízio Campos (7° 16′ 34″ S, 35° 53′ 7″ W), an area of the Caatinga in the Campina Grande, Paraíba. We studied a total of 12 transects by active searching during the daytime. In each sample, habitat and microhabitat types occupied by the specimen were categorized, together with solar incidence and soil type. For all individuals, morphometric measurements were performed, as well as dissection for stomach content analysis. We collected a total of 46 individuals, with a snout-vent length ranging between 19 and 45 mm, collected over all habitats, with prevalence in soil and earthy litter microhabitats near rocky outcrops. The dietary analysis showed a use of items of soil fauna and identified 14 types of prey, mainly insects such as termites and ants. It was observed that smaller individuals (SVL < 30 mm) fed mainly on Hymenoptera (Family Formicidae), whereas larger individuals (SVL > 30 mm) selected Isoptera.