Natural History aspects of Tropidurus hispidus in an area of Atlantic Forest, northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Seasonality, pattern of activity, habitat composition and temperature are factors that exert strong influence on the lives of lizards. Aspects of the natural history (daily and seasonal activity and habitat and microhabitat use) of Tropidurus hispidus were studied in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, northeastern Brazil. Lizards were caught by noosing between April 2008 and March 2009. Specimens of Tropidurus hispidus were observed throughout the year with higher records in the warmer months (April 2008 and March 2009). They were principally observed in sunny days and were mainly exposed to direct sunlight. The specimens were usually motionless on rocky surfaces but ran after the observer’s approach, hiding in various substrates such as rocks, soil, and bromeliads, among others. Lizards were active throughout the day, with a peak between 8h e 11h. Our results show that the behavior of T. hispidus is affected by seasonality variations, resulting in different patterns of behavior throughout the year.

Keywords: Seasonality, microhabitat, niche, lizards.