Demografia e conservação de Liolaemus lutzae (Squamata: Tropiduridae) Mertens, 1938

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

The Brazilian sand lizard species (Liolaemus lutzae) is endemic from Rio de Janeiro State. These populations are threatened by extinction as a result of heavy human impact over their habitat: the coastal beaches of Rio de Janeiro. In 1986, a translocation experiment was conducted and a new colony, from Barra de Maricá-RJ, was taken to Praia das Neves- ES. A monitoring study program was performed, eighteen years postintroduction, at the new distribution area, with the purpose of evaluate the experiment viability and to compare morphological and ecological attributes from both populations. To evaluate the conservation status of three populations of this lizard species, a dynamic population study, during 2006, was conducted to generate estimates of survival, rate of capture, recapture and population size based on a programme of mark-and-recapture.This study included the species translocated to Praia das Neves 22 years after the experiment. The introduced population was successfully established. The populations of Barra de Maricá and of Praia das Neves make use of similar microhabitat. Morphometric differences were not found between the two populations, but there are differences in their diets. The demographic analysis revealed that: the estimates of survival and population size were larger in Barra de Maricá, where there is less contact with humans. The population of Barra de Tijuca presents low estimates in demographic parameters evaluated and their conservation state is critical. The population introduced in Praia das Neves showed the lowest estimates in population size and the survival rate varied during the monitoring period. These results suggest that the survival of Liolaemus lutzae populations depends on urgent conservation measures and also that the foundation, with little financial cost, of a new colony of this species in a similar area with vacant niche should be considered in management plans for threatened species of lizards. We recommend that the introduced population, potential competitors, predators, parasites and characteristics of the habitat continue to be monitored to ensure that the species does not become a threat to the community of Praia das Neves.

ASSUNTO(S)

ecologia ecologia lagarto

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