Abstract
We are presenting a list of the reptile species from Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (LMNP), Maranhão, Brazil, obtained during 235 days of field work. The study area is located in the contact zone between three major Neotropical ecosystems: Amazonia, Caatinga, and Cerrado. The PNLM encompasses the largest dune fields in Brazil, wide shrubby areas (restingas), lakes, mangroves, and many freshwater lagoons. We have recorded 42 species of reptiles in the area: 24 snakes, 12 lizards, two worm lizards, three turtles, and one alligator. About 81 % of the recorded species occurred only in restinga areas. Our data highlights the uniqueness of the PNLM in the context of the biomes that surround it and shows the importance of efforts to improve the conservation of reptiles living in the restinga, which currently comprise only about 20 % of the total area protected by the park, but which are the mesohabitat containing most of the reptile species in the Lençóis Maranhenses complex of habitats.
Highlights
Brazil is a megadiverse country, including six biomes (Ab’Sáber 2003)
As a result of almost two years of study conducted in the area, we are providing a report of reptile species composition for the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, a detailed description of the main mesohabitats in the area, and some suggestions to improve the conservation of reptiles in the park
We recorded 42 reptile species in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (LMNP): 12 species of lizards, belonging to 11 genera and eight families (Gekkonidae, Sphaerodactylidae, Mabuyidae, Gymnophthalmidae, Iguanidae, Polychrotidae, Teiidae and Tropiduridae); two species of worm lizards belonging to the genus Amphisbaena, in the family Amphisbaenidae; 24 species of snakes, belonging to 20 genera and four families (Boidae, Colubridae, Dipsadidae and Elapidae); three species of turtles, belonging to three genera and three families (Cheloniidae, Dermochelyidae, and Emydidae); and one species of alligator (Alligatoridae) (Table 1)
Summary
Brazil is a megadiverse country, including six biomes (Ab’Sáber 2003). One of its most distinguishable regions is the complex of ecotones adjacent to the Amazon forest of northern Brazil, the Caatinga in the northeastern portion of the country, and the Cerrado of central Brazil (Ab’Sáber 2003; Olson et al 2005, Rodrigues 2005). In the very heart of this transitional region, one of the most remarkable environments is a region known as Lençóis Maranhenses in the state of Maranhão, located in the northeast of Brazil. The lack of a species list restricts the knowledge of the reptile species composition in the area. This hampers specific conservation efforts to protect local species diversity. As a result of almost two years of study conducted in the area, we are providing a report of reptile species composition for the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, a detailed description of the main mesohabitats in the area, and some suggestions to improve the conservation of reptiles in the park
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