Although Tropidurus is a widely distributed lizard genus in South America and the Galapagos Islands, studies on space use and spatial distribution are scarce. We studied the home range structure of the saxicolous lizard Tropidurus torquatus based on the inland population of a rock outcrop in Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. Lizards were individually marked and observed during reproductive and non-reproductive seasons. Using the minimum convex polygon method, we found that average total range size of males during the reproductive season was larger than that of females, and that both had similar total range sizes in the nonreproductive season. The harmonic mean method showed that males have a larger home range size than that of females during both seasons. As expected for a polygynous species, the average number of males whose total ranges overlapped those of females tended to be higher in the reproductive season than in the nonreproductive season. Intrasexually, the number of females whose total ranges were associated with those of other females was also higher in the reproductive season than in the non-reproductive season. For males, this number remained low in both seasons, suggesting that males use more exclusive areas, whereas the smaller total ranges of females apparently sustain a higher density of individuals during the reproductive season. Frequency of microhabitat use in relation to vegetation increased in the non-reproductive season and the activity patterns of lizards shifted from bimodal in the reproductive season (rainy period) to unimodal in the non-reproductive season (dry period). Thus, the range structure, microhabitat use, and activity patterns of the T. torquatus observed here were all influenced by the time frame affecting their spatial ecology.

The helminth community of Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from a rocky outcrop area located in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, was studied. Ninety-two of the 110 individuals examined (83.6%) harbored helminths. Five species were found, including 3 nematodes ( Physaloptera lutzi , Parapharyngodon bainae , and Oswaldofilaria chabaudi ), 1 unidentified cestode species, and 1 acanthocephalan cystacanth also not identified. Only the nematode species had sufficient data to perform ecological analysis, with P. lutzi exhibiting the highest prevalence (67.3%). Prevalence between male and female hosts differed only for Oswaldofilaria chabaudi , with males exhibiting the highest values. The intensities of infection by P. lutzi and O. chabaudi were different among male and female hosts, with males also exhibiting the highest values. The host body size was positively related to intensity of infection for all nematode species. Local seasonality had some influence on the helminth community structure. Host diet, sexual dimorphism, and behavior (territorialism, forage strategy) represented important factors for the structure of this parasite community. In general, the helminth community was species poor, depauperate, and non-interactive, representing a typical structure observed in lizard hosts.

The kidneys in two viviparous species of Neotropical lizards, Notomabuya frenata and Aspronema dorsivittatum (Mabuyidae), were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy in order to determine the presence of the sexual segment of the kidney (SSK) and to study its morphology. The individuals used in this study belong to the Herpetological Collection of the Herpetology Laboratory - Reptiles of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (CHUFJF-Reptiles) and they were collected between the years 2008 and 2012 from the Cerrado region in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The SSK was present only in sexually mature males (with sperm in the testes / epididymis), whereas it was absent in sexually immature males. The nephron in both species consists of renal corpuscle, proximal convoluted tubule, distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct and sexual segment of the kidney. The SSK of the analyzed species were coated with a simple columnar epithelium, with high cells, basal nucleus and in the apical portion innumerable secretory granules. This study adds to the knowledge on reproductive biology and structures related to reproductive strategies of both lizard species and viviparous Neotropical lizards.

The purpose of this study was to determine how the gastrointestinal helminthofauna varies according to the age and sex of the lizard, Enyalius perditus, captured in Ibitipoca State Park in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and to discuss the ecological and behavioral significance of these relationships. Fifty-five specimens of E. perditus were captured in drop traps, then killed, necropsied, and examined for the presence of helminths in the gastrointestinal tract. Nematodes, including Strongyluris oscari, Oswaldocruzia subauricularis, and Aplectana vellardi, were found. This was the first record of the last-named species in reptiles, and the first record of the first 2 species in E. perditus. The number of helminths increased with snout-vent length and, therefore, age of the lizards. Male E. perditus lizards were more heavily infected by nematodes than females; the largest numbers of nematodes occurred in the caecum and large intestine.

ABSTRACT. Feeding habits of Enyalius perditus (Squamata, Leiosauridae) from the Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The present study was carried out to describe the diet, and its variations according to food availability, in Enyalius perditus Jackson, 1978 from Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Three areas were chosen in the forest fragments; pit falls and glue traps were used to capture lizards and their preys. Lizards (n=55) were dissected in order to analyze the stomach content. The Electivity Index showed that insect larvae were volumetrically important in the diet of E. perditus, while ants and woodlices where numerically important. The quantity of diet items have differed significantly between males and females, perhaps, as a consequence of the higher quantity of ants ingested by female lizards and larvae ingested by males lizards. Based upon alimentary behavior, the male lizards resemble the active forragers and the females sit and wait forragers. KEYWORDS.Leiosauridae, Enyalius perditus, ecology, behavior, diet. RESUMO.No presente estudo foi analisado a dieta de Enyalius perditus Jackson, 1978 e suas variações de acordo com disponibilidade de alimento no Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Três áreas de matas foram amostradas, utilizando-se armadilhas de queda e adesivas para captura dos lagartos e itens-presa disponíveis. Os lagartos (n= 55) foram dissecados e o conteúdo estomacal analisado. O Índice de eletividade mostrou que larvas foram importantes volumetricamente na dieta de E. perditus, enquanto que formigas e isópodos foram importantes numericamente. A quantidade de itens nas dietas de machos e fêmeas diferiram estatisticamente, talvez como uma conseqüência da maior quantidade de formigas ingeridas pelas fêmeas e isópodos e larvas pelos machos. Baseado no comportamento alimentar, os machos são mais semelhantes aos forrageadores ativos e as fêmeas, aos predadores senta-e-espera.