Diet and foraging of the endemic lizard Cnemidophorus littoralis (Squamata, Teiidae) in the restinga de Jurubatiba, Macaé, RJ

Abstract

We investigated the diet and foraging of the endemic teiid lizard Cnemidophorus littoralis in a restinga habitat in Jurubatiba, macaé -rJ. the stomach contents were removed, analyzed and identified to the order level. there was no relationship between C. littoralis morphological variables and number, length or volume of preys. termites (48.7%) and larvae (35.5%) were the most important prey items which occurred in the examined lizards´ stomachs. the diet did not differ between males and females. Cnemidophorus littoralis is an active forager and predominantly consumes relatively sedentary prey or prey that is aggregated in the environment. We also found an intact and undigested hatchling of the crepuscular/nocturnal gekkonid lizard Hemidactylus mabouia in the stomach of an adult male of C. littoralis, which indicates that C. littoralis is a potential source of mortality for individuals of H. mabouia in the restinga de Jurubatiba.

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

“…The body shape and fossorial habit of A. vanzolinia characterize it as an active forager, capturing a range of prey with low mobility or with social behavior, such as termites (Menezes et al 2006). Predation on small social insects is generally considered advantageous for lizards because it represents a concentrated and plentiful food at a relatively low energy cost, since lizards with this type of foraging have a high level of physical activity and energy expenditure (Novaes-e-Silva & Araújo 2008).…”

“…Factors that affect the diet of lizards include ontogenetic changes in prey preference, sex and foraging tactics (Vitt et al 2003, Menezes et al 2006). In addition, lizard diet composition might depend on the association they have with the microhabitat (Liou 2008).…”

Nota sobre la dieta de Ameiva edracantha (Squamata, Teiidae) en el Parque Nacional Cerros de Amotape, Tumbes, Perú

“…Lepidopteran larvae, coleopterans, orthopterans and spiders are the main prey items of the diet of A. edracantha, similar to its diet in adyacent Tropical Pacific Forest (Jordán 2010) and to other Ameiva species, such Ameiva festiva (Vitt & Zani 1996), Ameiva ameiva (Vitt & Colli 1994, Vitt et al 2000, Ameiva septemlineata (Jordán 2010) and with other related genus as Kentropyx , Vitt et al 2001 and Cnemidophorus (Mesquita & Colli, 2003, Menezes et al 2006). …”

Feeding habits, sexual dimorphism and size at maturity of the lizard Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Spix, 1825) (Teiidae) in a reforested restinga habitat in northeastern Brazil

“…Studies of the feeding habits of populations of this genus indicate the existence of variations in both the composition and the proportions of arthropod groups taken, although termites and insect larvae usually predominate in their stomach contents (Bergallo and Rocha, 1994;Teixeira-Filho et al, 2003;Menezes et al, 2006;Dias and Rocha, 2007).…”

“…Studies about the eating habits of lizards in restinga areas in Brazil are relatively rare, and those that have been published are concentrated in the southeastern region of the country (Bergallo and Rocha, 1994;Vrcibradic and Rocha, 1996;Teixeira-Filho et al, 2003;Menezes et al, 2006). There is only incipient information available about the dietary habits of lizards found in similar habitats in restinga areas in northeastern Brazil (Dias and Rocha, 2007).…”