Reproduction, diet and sexual dimorphism of Gymnodactylus geckoides Spix, 1825 (Sauria: Squamata) from a Restinga area in northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT

Reproduction, diet and sexual dimorphism are three crucial descriptive natural history parameters necessary to understand and recognize evolutionary processes and patterns across different taxa. The recognition of distinct patterns and how traits vary in related species/population give us a better understanding of the role environment characteristics play in the evolution and maintenance of such traits. Gymnodactylus (Phyllodactylidae) currently comprises five species widely distributed in both forested and open formations in Brazil. Gymnodactylus geckoides is mainly associated with the Caatinga domain, but also reported for the first time in a Restinga site in this study. Herein, we analysed the species’ reproduction, diet and sexual dimorphism, based on 181 specimens collected over a period of 16 months from a Restinga site in north-eastern Brazil. Reproduction was continuous and females only lay one egg per clutch, while most juvenile recruitment occurs from June through October. Gymnodactylus geckoides is a generalist feeder (Isoptera and Orthoptera the predominant prey items in its diet) and sit-and-wait forager based on dietary items and habitat use. Females are significantly larger than males and sexes can also be distinguished based on shape variables: males have higher heads and longer hindlimbs than females. We comment on the intra- and interspecific variation on these traits in comparison to related species from other biomes. Although pointed out as an important feature shaping reproductive strategies in Neotropical lizards, environment seasonality did not influence reproduction and phylogenetic inertia is proposed as one possible force explaining clutch size patterns found.

KEYWORDS:

• Autoecology
• Phyllodactylidae
• reproductive patterns
• natural history
• seasonality

Acknowledgements

We thank the Brazilian Airforce, especially the Centro do Lançamento da Barreira do Inferno CLBI, for allowing us to conduct fieldwork within their area. We also thank all members of the Amphibians and Reptiles Lab at UFRN for support in field work. We thank Daniel Mesquita and Felipe Marinho for statistical support. This work was funded by FAPERN and CNPq. We also thank CNPq and CAPES for financial support to AAG and CAPES for graduate scholarships to AFO and FMM.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Rio Grande do Norte (FAPERN) by Grant PPP III-Adrian Antonio Garda