Habitat use and diet of the endemic lizard Ameivula nigrigula (Squamata: Teiidae) in Caatinga domain, Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT

The lizard Ameivula nigrigula is endemic to Caatinga vegetation and the transition zone between the Caatinga and Cerrado domains in Brazil. It was recently described, but little is known about its biology. We analysed microhabitat use and the diet of this species in Caatinga vegetation in Santo Inácio, Bahia State. Its diet consisted mainly of arthropods and plant material, and in particular aggregate (e.g. termites) and large preys (e.g. Coleoptera, insect larvae and spiders), reflecting their nutritional and energy values and high water contents. With regard to habitat use, we found A. nigrigula using microhabitats with tall vegetation over accumulated leaf litter, which could potentially contribute to temperature regulation. Together, those characteristics contribute to the survival of lizards in environments with low water availability and high temperatures, such as the Caatinga domain.

KEYWORDS:

• Feeding habits
• lower-mid São Francisco River
• microhabitats
• Santo Inácio

Acknowledgements

The Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB) provided a graduate fellowship (Process - BOL2531/2016). The samples and euthanasia were authorised by the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (SISBio\ICMBio — licence 53218-2) and for Comissão de Ética no Uso de Animais (34/2016) respectively.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.