Banca de DEFESA: RAUL FERNANDES DANTAS DE SALES

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
DISCENTE : RAUL FERNANDES DANTAS DE SALES
DATA : 30/04/2018
HORA: 14:00
LOCAL: Anfiteatro das Aves
TÍTULO:

Behavioral ecology of the lizard Ameivula ocellifera (Squamata: Teiidae) in different phytophysiognomies of northeastern Brazil 

PALAVRAS-CHAVES:

Diet; foraging behavior; lizards; thermal ecology; reproductive behavior; thermoregulatory behavior.

PÁGINAS: 80
GRANDE ÁREA: Ciências Humanas
ÁREA: Psicologia
RESUMO:

Lizards of the family Teiidae are recognized as active foragers that maintain elevated body temperatures in activity, and do not defend territories, so that both males and females have opportunities to mate with several partners during the breeding season. However, there are few available studies that quantitatively analyzed the behavior of teiids, especially in South America. In this perspective, the purpose of this study was to investigate the foraging, thermoregulation and reproduction behaviors of the whiptail lizard Ameivula ocellifera, a conspicuous species widely distributed in the Northeastern region of Brazil, aiming to contribute to the knowledge about the behavioral ecology of South American teiids. To collect behavioral data, field excursions in two seasons of the year (dry and rainy seasons) were carried out in three locations in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, two in the Caatinga domain (Lagoa Nova and Acari), and one in the Atlantic Forest domain (Nísia Floresta). To complement the analysis of reproductive behavior, we also used behavioral data from two additional localities (Natal and Serra Negra do Norte). The focal observations were recorded with a digital camcorder, and the videos were later analyzed by the continuous animal focal method. Some animals were captured after video records for analysis of diet and body temperatures. The diets of Lagoa Nova and Acari populations were predominantly composed of termites and insect larvae, respectively, while the Nísia Floresta population presented a more generalized diet, without a single predominant prey category. The foraging behavior was characterized by high indices of movement and active search for prey, but the population of Nísia Floresta presented a lower rate of active search in relation to the two caatinga populations because lizards spent more time exhibiting vigilance. There were also differences in the main mode of prey discovery among the population of Nísia Floresta (visual and chemosensory search while moving) and caatinga populations (digging the substrate). In Lagoa Nova population, seasonal differences in foraging behavior were observed. Behavioral adjustments in response to changes in prey availability and differences in vigilance time against predators are plausible explanations for seasonal and population differences in foraging behavior. The active body temperatures (T_C) varied between 32.4 and 43.4 °C, with similar mean values among the three populations, in the range of 38-39 °C. Despite the similarity in T_C, lower values of substrate temperatures (T_S) and air temperatures (T_A) were recorded for Lagoa Nova. When comparing the three populations during the rainy season, it was verified that animals from Lagoa Nova spent more time in the sun and less time in the shade than the other two populations. In addition, T_S and T_A varied seasonally in Lagoa Nova, with lower values in the rainy season, and animals spent more time exposed to the sun and less time exposed to filtered sun in the rainy season than in the dry season. A positive relationship was observed in the three populations between the time exposed to cloudy conditions and basking time, and lizards from Acari spent more time basking in comparison to the other two populations. The results suggest that the maintenance of similar T_C between populations and throughout the year in Lagoa Nova occurred due to flexibilities in thermoregulatory behavior that reduced the impact of changes in environmental conditions. The mating system of A. ocellifera is characterized by consensual copulations preceded by male courtship, and post-copulatory accompaniment of the female, with the male companion repelling rival males, and guarding the entrance to the female's burrow when she finishes daily activity. Additionally, some males may copulate opportunistically with a female without previous courtship. The accompaniment has survival costs for companion males, as they spent more time in vigilance, less time performing active search for prey, captured less prey, and initiated 75% more agonistic interactions against other males when compared to males foraging alone. Females can benefit from post-copulatory courtship and access to high-quality males. Opportunistic copulations, on the other hand, may be a conditional strategy adopted by less dominant males to achieve mating, but presumably confer a lower fitness value.

MEMBROS DA BANCA:
Presidente - 1121066 - ELIZA MARIA XAVIER FREIRE
Interno - 1476621 - DANIEL MARQUES DE ALMEIDA PESSOA
Externo ao Programa - 350638 - MARIA DE FATIMA ARRUDA DE MIRANDA
Externo à Instituição - LEONARDO BARROS RIBEIRO - UNIVASF
Externo à Instituição - VANDERLAINE AMARAL DE MENEZES - UERJ