Activity patterns and use of microhabitat in lizards of the genus Tropidurus in a urbanized area of Natal, Brazil
Felipe Pernambuco da Costa, Daniele Bezerra dos Santos, Raquel da Silveira Maia
Abstract
This study analyzed sun exposure, substrate type selected, and various behaviors exhibited by the lizard Tropidurus during thermoregulation. Observation entailed thirty days in an urbanized area of Centro de Biociências/ Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Their behavior was recorded using a scan sampling route and an instantaneous record method at three different time intervals (9am to 10am, 12am to 1pm, and 3pm to 4pm). Significant differences were seen with sun exposure (p = 0.027), with most lizards remaining in shadowed areas, where the animals preferentially remained standing (p < 0.001). We were also able to observe more lizards in the following substrates: tile, wall, rocks, and bricks (p < 0.001). In addition, the animals were in these substrates more frequently from 12am to 1pm (p = 0.004).
Keywords
References
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Submitted date:
06/02/2016
Reviewed date:
06/21/2016
Accepted date:
06/25/2016
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