Activity and microhabitat use by the endemic whiptail lizard, Cnemidophorus nativo (Teiidae), in a restinga habitat (Setiba) in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract We studied activity and habitat use by the teiid lizard Cnemidophorus nativo in Parque Estadual Paulo Cesar Vinha (PEPCV), an area located near the southernmost limit of the species distribution – the Restinga of Setiba in the state of Espirito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Activity of C. nativo was estimated by hourly transects from 07:00 to 18:00 h searching for lizards. Lizard activity was expressed by the frequency of active individuals in each hour interval. Microhabitat use by C. nativo was measured along 20 one-hour transects of lizard search in different areas of PEPCV. For every lizard seen we recorded the microhabitat it was using at the moment of first sight. Cnemidophorus nativo (N = 73) was active mainly from 07:00–14:00 h with a peak of activity from 09:00–11:00 h, when approximately 80% of the individuals were observed. The main microhabitats used by C. nativo at PEPCV were bare sand and vegetation edges (nearly 70% of the individuals recorded). No significant difference was found in...