An unusual ecology among whiptails: the case of Cnemidophorus lacertoides from a restinga habitat in southern Brazil

Abstract

We studied the ecology of Cnemidophorus lacertoides at a restinga habitat in southern Brazil. Peak activity occurred between 12.00 and 15.00. The mean body temperature of active lizards (35.0 ± 2.9°C) was relatively low compared with other whiptails and was significantly influenced by environmental temperatures. Mean snout–vent length and mean body mass of individuals were 56.5 mm and 4.4 g, respectively. Male and female C. lacertoides were not significantly different in body size. Cnemidophorus lacertoides consumed 12 types of prey, with ants and spiders being the most important items. Unexpectedly, lizards did not consume termites, which tend to be very important items in the diets of most whiptails. We conclude that the population of Cnemidophorus lacertoides we studied deviates from the typical whiptail ecology because many of its ecological features differ from those of most other cnemidophorines of similar size.

Keywords:

• ecology
• whiptail lizard
• Cnemidophorus lacertoides
• restinga habitat
• southern Brazil

Acknowledgements

This study is a portion of the results of the Eastern Brazilian Vertebrate Ecology Project (Laboratory of Vertebrate Ecology), of the Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Permission to collect the lizards was conceded by the Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Naturais Renováveis - IBAMA. We thank the Instituto Biomas for logistical support. This study was partially supported by research grants from the Conselho Nacional do Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (processes # (307 653/2003-0 and 476684/2008-8). CVA received a graduate grant from FAPERJ and VAM a graduate grant from CNPq. Currently VAM is associated to the Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia from Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro and receives a Post-Doctoral grant from FAPERJ. CFD Rocha received research grants from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (processes 304791/2010-5 and 470265/2010-8) and from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) through the “Cientistas do Nosso Estado” Program (process E-26/102.404.2009). CVA is currently a PhD student at the University of Cambridge and is sponsored by the Cambridge Overseas Trust.