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A predation event on Tropidurus hispidus (Tropiduridae) by the crab spider Lasiodora klugi (Theraphosidae) was observed in an arboreal caatinga area in northeastern Brazil. Arthropods are potential predators of small vertebrates and researchers have reported predation events involving spiders and herpetofauna in Neotropical regions. As such, the present short communication is the second case of predation of spiders on Tropidurus lizards in Brazil, and the first for the semiarid caatinga, reinforcing the argument that large spiders have relevant roles as predators of these animals.

A new subspecies of the Tropidurus spinulosus group is recognized and described as Tropidurus spinulosus guarani. Its distribution area corresponds to the wet mesic region from central Paraguayan districts east of Asunción and Paraguay River. Morphological characters and peculiar features of the new taxon are analysed and discussed in comparison with Cope’s nominal form. Populations of Tropidurus spinulosus spinulosus from the xerophytic Chacoan region of Argentina were used. Morphological differences between the uniform arboreal populations from northern and central Chacoan flats and the southernmost saxicolous populations from the Córdoba embossments are also reported and discussed., Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP)., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

Key to the species of Tropidurus of the semitaeniatus group from northeastern Brazil 1 Single middorsal light stripe............................................................................. 2 - Three dorsal light stripes, one middorsal, and two dorsalateral.................................................. 3 2 Middorsal light stripe extending from snout to the tail base......................................... T. semitaeniatus - Middorsal light stripe extending from snout to the scapular region, may be absent or not evident in adults individuals............................................................................................... T. jaguaribanus 3 Middorsal light stripe extending from snout to the tail base............................................. T. pinima - Middorsal light stripe extending from snout to the scapular region....................................... T. helenae, Published as part of Passos, Daniel Cunha, Lima, Daniel Cassiano & Borges-Nojosa, Diva Maria, 2011, A new species of Tropidurus (Squamata, Tropiduridae) of the semitaeniatus group from a semiarid area in Northeastern Brazil, pp. 60-68 in Zootaxa 2930 on page 67, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.278029

Tropidurus jaguaribanus sp. nov. Holotype. Adult male (CHUFC L 3860) collected in S��o Jo��o do Jaguaribe Municipality (5 �� 19 ��� 21 ������ S and 38 �� 11��58 ������ W), Cear�� State, northeastern Brazil, 21 February 2009, by D. C. Lima and D. M. Borges-Nojosa (Figure 2). Paratypes. All from the type-locality, collected from March 2008 through February 2009 by the same collectors. Adult males (CHUFC L 3650, CHUFC L 3858), adult females (CHUFC L 3857, CHUFC L 3859, CHUFC L 3918), and unsexed juveniles (CHUFC L 3658, MPEG 28900, MZUSP 100739, ZUFSM L 0728). Diagnosis. The color pattern of T. jaguaribanus sp. nov. allows it to be easily distinguished from the other species of the semitaeniatus group (Figures 3 e 4). Tropidurus jaguaribanus sp. nov. differs from T. helenae and T. pinima in having only one middorsal, longitudinal light stripe rather than three. This single stripe, which extends dorsally from the snout to the scapular region, also allows it to be distinguished from T. semitaeniatus, because in this latter, the single stripe always extends from the snout to the base of the tail. The stripe of T. jaguaribanus sp. nov. may sometimes be absent or not evident in adult individuals, which also distinguishes it from the other species of the group. Tropidurus jaguaribanus sp. nov. also has 5���6 supralabials, rather than 7���8 as in T. pinima and T. semitaeniatus. Tropidurus jaguaribanus sp. nov. has a single subocular, in contact with the first canthal, distinguishing it from T. pinima, which has one scale between the subocular and the first canthal. Finally, the new species differs from all the others by the prominently spined and keeled lateral scales on the trunk (Figure 5), which are visible to the naked eye in adult individuals and are inconspicuous in the other species and by the tarsal scales with higher keels than in the other species of the group. Description of the holotype. Measurements. Snout-vent length (SVL) 103.41 mm; tail length 138.18 mm; body height at midline 12.37 mm; distance from snout to anterior margin of tympanum 24.12 mm; head height 10.14 mm; head width 21.47 mm; distance between limbs, from axillar region to inguinal region 43.73 mm; tail base width 16.54 mm; femur length 25.10 mm; fourth finger length 10.57 mm; fourth toe length 16.38 mm. Cephalic scales (Figure 2). Rostral scale smooth and broad. Nostril rounded, exposed laterally and inserted into single nasal scale. Eight supraciliars elongated, narrow, oblique, and imbricate, forming small longitudinal ridge. Supraocular scales smooth, flat, asymmetrical, with different dimensions, forming five rows on each side, bounded by supraorbital semicircle. Two rows of small irregular supraoculars near eye, another two intermediate rows of median scales, and one row of seven large supraocular scales, wider than long, transversely elongated. Temporal scales small, irregular, decreasing in size posteriorly. Ear scales reduced, deep ear canal, and preauricular fringe with seven pyramidal scales. Occipital scale conspicuous, as wide as long, with irregular margins. Single subocular, broad and long, in close contact with supralabials in posterior region. Six long supralabials, counting to posterior margin of subocular. Seven long infralabials, counting to corresponding position of last supralabial. Mental smooth, broad, and triangular, with posterior apex. A row of sublabial shields present between post-mentals and infralabials, increasing in size posteriorly in relation to these. Small gulars, irregular, laterally imbricate, decreasing in size posteriorly. Trunk scales. Dorsal scales small, smooth, irregular, juxtaposed, almost indistinct, extending from temporal scales to dorsal tail. Dorsal scales 139 in number, counting on dorsal midline from occipital scale to posterior margin of insertion of thigh. Lateral scales acicular, arranged in transverse rows, taller than wide, acutely keeled, perpendicular to trunk, revealing spiny aspect of flanks. Scales around middle of body (strap) 139 in number, counting around middle of body between axilla and groin. Ventral scales smooth, juxtaposed, square and rectangular, extending from gulars to vent. Ventral scales 68 in number, counting on ventral midline from level of anterior root of arm to anterior insertion of thigh. Limb scales. Arm scales large, imbricate and keeled, with scales in anterior region more strongly keeled than in posterior region. Forearm scales large, imbricate and keeled, but with scales in posterior region more strongly keeled than in anterior region. Carpus scales imbricate and slightly keeled in comparison to other parts of body. Femoral scales imbricate anteriorly, and imbricate and keeled posteriorly. Tibial scales large and imbricate, with higher keels than femoral scales. Tarsum scales imbricate and strongly keeled. Infradigital lamellae keeled, 22 lamellae on fourth finger and 28 lamellae on fourth toe. Tail scales. Dorsal scales of tail imbricate, slightly keeled. Lateral scales imbricate, strongly keeled. Ventral scales smooth and imbricate. Body folds. Three lateral neck folds, irregular and conspicuous, but without forming mite-pockets. One wellmarked ante-humeral fold. Two small axillary folds and four evident inguinal folds, lined with granular scales, smaller than adjacent scales. Sensory organs. Sensory organs present in cephalic scales, one or more from rostral to temporal scales, including dorsal and lateral scales of head. Fingers, toes, and carpus also with sensory organs in their scales. Color pattern in life (Figure 3). Trunk dark gray with small scattered light dots. One light stripe, longitudinal, rostro-scapular, indistinct. Transverse trunk stripes, asymmetrical, extending from middorsal region to flanks, 9 on each side. These transverse stripes have dark regions, immediately succeeded by irregular series of light spots. Limbs with coloration similar to trunk. Ventral surface light-colored. Ventral surface of thighs and periphery of vent with well-defined black pigmentation. Cloacal margin intense yellow. Variation. The paratypes (N= 9) show meristic characteristics similar to the holotype, with few variations (see Table 1). After the specimens have been placed in preservative fluid, the longitudinal stripes become lighter and the tracks across the trunk acquire a staining pattern similar to the trunk. Etymology. The specific epithet derives from the region of the state of Cear�� where the species occurs, the Jaguaribe Valley. Distribution and natural history. Tropidurus jaguaribanus sp. nov. also occurs in other municipalities in the Jaguaribe Valley in the state of Cear��. Another population was found on the Fazenda Amendoim (5 �� 18 ���09������ S and 38 �� 54 ���05������ W), Banabuiu Municipality, about 78 km east of the type locality in an area with many rocky outcrops and climate conditions similar to the type locality. Tropidurus jaguaribanus sp. nov. is diurnal, and is apparently most abundant on rocky outcrops in these localities. The new species shares this environment, and even the rock crevices with the similarly diurnal T. hispidus (Spix, 1825) and with the phyllodactylids Phyllopezus periosus Rodrigues, 1986, P. pollicaris (Spix, 1825), and Gymnodactylus geckoides Spix, 1825., Published as part of Passos, Daniel Cunha, Lima, Daniel Cassiano & Borges-Nojosa, Diva Maria, 2011, A new species of Tropidurus (Squamata, Tropiduridae) of the semitaeniatus group from a semiarid area in Northeastern Brazil, pp. 60-68 in Zootaxa 2930 on pages 61-66, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.278029

Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-12T17:56:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-01-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:13:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-01-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:31:03Z No. of bitstreams: 0 Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:31:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-01-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Mato Grosso (FAPEMAT) Reproductive strategy is the set of adaptations that promote the most efficient way that the species will survive under the particular conditions of a determined environment. Understanding these adaptations is important and can help pinpoint populations indicator of environmental changes. Spermatogenesis is a measurable biological process of these adaptations in spatial and temporal scales. We analyzed the morphology of the testes and oviducts of the lizard species that comprise the genus Tropidurus, taking into account the geographical distribution and sympatric relations. For the analysis and the testes were removed from the middle part of the oviducts from Tropidurus etheridge, T oreadicus, T itambere, T spinulosus and T Guarani species, collected in different places in the Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The reproductive period is synchronous for males and females and occurs in September, October and November. Reproductive males were characterized. In the testes are seminiferous tubules with germ cells at different stages of spermatogenesis, with a high epithelium, at present light, free spermatozoa in the lumen and reduction of interstitial tissue. For females, the reproduction peak occurs when the oviduct epithelium is high with secretions and basal nucleus. These months are characterized in the sampled areas over a period of heavy rain and high temperatures. The decline of reproductive period was observed in both sexes, between April and August. Low reproduction in males is characterized by ample light, absence of sperm, only germ cells in the early stages of spermatogenesis are observed (a few spermatogonia and spermatocytes) and interstitial tissue wide. In females, the period of reproductive decline is marked by the absence of unicellular glands in the oviduct epithelium, with higher affinity with the dye. This period corresponds to low rainfall periods and lower temperatures. We propose an analysis of zoological samples; this is a proposal to facilitate the work of many researchers through access to the species, especially rare species. Univ Fed Mato Grosso UFMT, Depto Biol & Zool, IB, UFMT, BR-78060900 Cuiaba, MT, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho UN, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho UN, Botucatu, SP, Brazil FAPEMAT: 737194/2008

Um estudo sobre os padrões de comportamento e utilização do microhábitat por Tropidurus semitaeniatus e Tropidurus hispidus foi conduzido em área de caatinga no Monumento Natural Grota do Angico, Poço Redondo, Sergipe, nos leitos dos riachos Angico 1 e Angico 2 com afloramentos rochosos, sujeito a chuvas concentradas durante período curto do ano, onde T. semitaeniatus e T. hispidus ocorrem simpatricamente. A metodologia utilizada foi a de busca ativa, no período entre 10:00 h e 14:00 h, com todo o caminho percorrido sendo sistematicamente vistoriado. Os espécimes encontrados foram observados através do método animal focal com observação durante cinco minutos para registro dos comportamentos realizados. Além disso, foram registradas informações como horário, atividade, microhábitat e condições do tempo e da exposição dos lagartos. Calculou-se a largura de nicho utilizando o índice de diversidade de Simpson. Durante o período de estudo as duas espécies apresentaram-se ativas, com distribuição uniforme e exposição ao mosaico, sol e sombra, provavelmente para evitar superaquecimento, o que poderia causar desarranjos fisiológicos ou até mesmo a morte. Com relação à atividade e substratos utilizados, os Tropidurus foram observados normalmente parados sobre rochas em áreas com predominância de herbáceas, correndo logo após a aproximação do observador e se refugiando em diversos substratos como rocha, solo e bromélias. Na área de caatinga considerada, o T. hispidus utiliza mais categorias de microhábitat provavelmente em razão da presença de T. semitaeniatus nos locais com afloramentos de rocha, locais estes onde provavelmente o T. semitaeniatus é melhor adaptado principalmente devido ao acentuado achatamento dorso-ventral apresentado por esta espécie._________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: A study on patterns of behavior and use of microhabitat by Tropidurus semitaeniatus and Tropidurus hispidus was conducted in an area of caatinga in the Monumento Natural Grota do Angico, Poço Redondo, Sergipe, in the beds of streams Angico 1 and Angico 2 with rocky outcrops, subject to rains concentrated during short periods of the year, where T. semitaeniatus and T. hispidus occur sympatrically. The methodology used was an active search in the period between 10:00 and 14:00, with every path traversed and systematically surveyed. The specimens found were observed by focal animal sampling with observation for five minutes to record the behaviors performed. In addition, were recorded information such as time, activity, microhabitat and weather conditions and exposure of the lizards. The niche breadth was calculated using the Simpson diversity index. During the study period both species were active, with uniform distribution and exposure to mosaic, sun and shade, probably to avoid overheating, which could cause physiological disorders or even death. As regards the activity and substrates used, Tropidurus were observed usually standing on rocks in areas with predominantly herbaceous, running after the observer's approach and taking refuge in various substrates such as rock, soil and bromeliads. In the study area, T. hispidus used more categories of microhabitat probably because of the presence of T. semitaeniatus sites with rock outcroppings, places where they probably T. semitaeniatus is better suited mainly due to the sharp dorso-ventral flattening shown by this species.

Population dynamics of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus was studied between May 2008 and June 2009 in a rocky formation in Alegrete municipality, Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. The study was carried out using the capture, marking and recapture method, the area being randomly searched from 08:00 am to 6:00 pm. Tropidurus torquatus presented variation in population structure throughout the study period, with maximum biomass observed in October 2008 and maximum density occurring in November 2008 (reproductive season), both having a second peak in March 2009 (recruitment period). There was a significant difference between the number of juveniles and adults recorded, since adults were present throughout the study period while juveniles were present in the months after recruitment. The difference found between males and females may be related to a social territorial behavior of the males. The population of Tropidurus torquatus presented a cyclic and seasonal variation in population structure, possibly associated with the reproductive cycle of the species, with differences in the distribution of age classes and sexual proportions throughout the year.

Ecological, morphological, and life-history characteristics of three as yet undescribed populations of open-formation Tropidurus species in Rondônia and a population of Tropidurus oreadicus in Pará, Brazil, that are isolated on rock outcrops completely surrounded by lowland tropical forest were compared with similar characteristics of a eurytopic open-formation close relative, Tropidurus hispidus, and a crevice-adapted close relative, Tropidurus semitaeniatus, from an open-formation (caatinga) habitat in northeastern Brazil. Individuals of the isolated Amazonian populations do not enter the forest, but escape into narrow crevices on rock outcrops when disturbed. They are restricted to the only habitat patch in tropical forest similar to open-formation habitats, granitic rock outcrops. The outcrops maintain cerrado and caatinga vegetation and published paleoecological data indicate that the forested area surrounding the outcrops in Rondônia was cerrado in the recent past. Individuals in the isolated Tropidurus populations are morphologically flattened compared with T. hispidis, clutch size is reduced, and relative clutch mass is reduced, as is observed in other crevice-adapted species of lizards. Females deposit eggs under granitic cap rocks, like the flattened lizard T. semitaeniatus. The most parsimonious explanation for the set of characteristics shared by these four isolated lizard populations is that natural selection has led to an adjustment of behavior, morphology, and certain life-history characteristics in response to the high ecological risks associated with entering surrounding forest. It remains unclear whether this occurred once (which assumes a common ancestor), followed by canalizing selection, or the populations converged independently on similar morphology and ecology (which assumes different ancestors). The direction of divergence in behavior, morphology, clutch size, relative clutch mass, and nesting behavior in isolated populations of Tropidurus species remains unknown.

Abstract Albumin evolution in six species of Galapagos iguanid lizards of the genus Tropidurus was measured using the quantitative immunological technique of micro-complement fixation. We propose a phylogeny for these species based upon their albumin differentiation. Our data suggest several colonizations from the South American mainland are needed to account for current species diversity on the Galapagos Islands. The standard calibration for the albumin molecular clock yields divergence estimates for Galapagos Tropidurus that are similar to those previously reported for the iguanas in the Galapagos and are not in conflict with recent understanding of the geological history of these islands.

Although Tropidurus is a widely distributed lizard genus in South America and the Galapagos Islands, studies on space use and spatial distribution are scarce. We studied the home range structure of the saxicolous lizard Tropidurus torquatus based on the inland population of a rock outcrop in Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. Lizards were individually marked and observed during reproductive and non-reproductive seasons. Using the mínimum convex polygon method, we found that average total range size of males during the reproductive season was larger than that of females, and that both had similar total range sizes in the non-reproductive season. The harmonic mean method showed that males have a larger home range size than that of females during both seasons. As expected for a polygynous species, the average number of males whose total ranges overlapped those of females tended to be higher in the reproductive season than in the non-reproductive season. Intrasexually, the number of females whose total ranges were associated with those of other females was also higher in the reproductive season than in the non-reproductive season. For males, this number remained low in both seasons, suggesting that males use more exclusive areas, whereas the smaller total ranges of females apparently sustain a higher density of individual s during the reproductive season. Frequency of microhabitat use in relation to vegetation increased in the non-reproductive season and the activity patterns of lizards shifted from bimodal in the reproductive season (rainy period) to unimodal in the non-reproductive season (dry period). Thus, the range structure, microhabitat use, and activity patterns of the T. torquatus observed here were all influenced by the time frame affecting their spatial ecology.

Although Tropidurus is a widely distributed lizard genus in South America and the Galapagos Islands, studies on space use and spatial distribution are scarce. We studied the home range structure of the saxicolous lizard Tropidurus torquatus based on the inland population of a rock outcrop in Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. Lizards were individually marked and observed during reproductive and non-reproductive seasons. Using the mínimum convex polygon method, we found that average total range size of males during the reproductive season was larger than that of females, and that both had similar total range sizes in the non-reproductive season. The harmonic mean method showed that males have a larger home range size than that of females during both seasons. As expected for a polygynous species, the average number of males whose total ranges overlapped those of females tended to be higher in the reproductive season than in the non-reproductive season. Intrasexually, the number of females whose total ranges were associated with those of other females was also higher in the reproductive season than in the non-reproductive season. For males, this number remained low in both seasons, suggesting that males use more exclusive areas, whereas the smaller total ranges of females apparently sustain a higher density of individual s during the reproductive season. Frequency of microhabitat use in relation to vegetation increased in the non-reproductive season and the activity patterns of lizards shifted from bimodal in the reproductive season (rainy period) to unimodal in the non-reproductive season (dry period). Thus, the range structure, microhabitat use, and activity patterns of the T. torquatus observed here were all influenced by the time frame affecting their spatial ecology. Aunque Tropidurus es un género de lagarto extensamente distribuido en Sudamérica y en las islas Galápagos, son escasos los estudios sobre uso del espacio y distribución espacial. En este trabajo se estudió la organización espacial del lagarto saxícola Tropidurus torquatus basado en la población interiorana de uno afloramiento rocoso en el estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste del Brasil. Los lagartos fueron individualmente marcados y observados durante las estaciones reproductiva y no reproductiva. Con el método del mínimo polígono convexo fue encontrado que el tamaño promedio del dominio vital de los machos durante la estación reproductiva fue más grande que el de las hembras y en la estación no reproductiva hembras y machos mantuvieron dominios vitales similares en el tamaño. El método de la media armónica mostró que el tamaño promedio del area de vida de machos fue mayor que el area de las hembras en ambas estaciones. Como esperado para una especie poligínica, el número medio de machos con dominios vitales sobrepuestos a los de las hembras tendió a ser más grande en la estación reproductiva. Intrasexualmente, el número de hembras con sus dominios vitales asociados a los de otras hembras también fue mayor en la estación reproductiva. Para los machos, este número permaneció bajo en ambas estaciones, lo que sugiere que los machos usan areas más exclusivas, mientras los dominios vitales más pequeños de las hembras al parecer sostengan una mayor densidad de individuos durante la estación reproductiva. La frecuencia de uso de los microhábitats relacionados a la vegetación aumentó en la estación no reproductiva y el padrón de actividad de los lagartos cambió del bimodal en la estación reproductiva (período lluvioso) para unimodal en la no reproductiva (período seco). Así la organización espacial, la utilización de los microhábitats y los padrones de actividad de T. torquatus aquí observados fueron todos influenciados por el período de tiempo afectando la ecología espacial de los lagartos.

Aunque Tropidurus es un genero de lagarto extensamente distribuido en Sudamerica y en las islas Galapagos, son escasos los estudios sobre uso del espacio y distribucion espacial. En este trabajo se estudio la organizacion espacial del lagarto saxicola Tropidurus torquatus basado en la poblacion interiorana de uno afloramiento rocoso en el estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste del Brasil. Los lagartos fueron individualmente marcados y observados durante las estaciones reproductiva y no reproductiva. Con el metodo del minimo poligono convexo fue encontrado que el tamano promedio del dominio vital de los machos durante la estacion reproductiva fue mas grande que el de las hembras y en la estacion no reproductiva hembras y machos mantuvieron dominios vitales similares en el tamano. El metodo de la media armonica mostro que el tamano promedio del area de vida de machos fue mayor que el area de las hembras en ambas estaciones. Como esperado para una especie poliginica, el numero medio de machos con dominios vitales sobrepuestos a los de las hembras tendio a ser mas grande en la estacion reproductiva. Intrasexualmente, el numero de hembras con sus dominios vitales asociados a los de otras hembras tambien fue mayor en la estacion reproductiva. Para los machos, este numero permanecio bajo en ambas estaciones, lo que sugiere que los machos usan areas mas exclusivas, mientras los dominios vitales mas pequenos de las hembras al parecer sostengan una mayor densidad de individuos durante la estacion reproductiva. La frecuencia de uso de los microhabitats relacionados a la vegetacion aumento en la estacion no reproductiva y el padron de actividad de los lagartos cambio del bimodal en la estacion reproductiva (periodo lluvioso) para unimodal en la no reproductiva (periodo seco). Asi la organizacion espacial, la utilizacion de los microhabitats y los padrones de actividad de T. torquatus aqui observados fueron todos influenciados por el periodo de tiempo afectando la ecologia espacial de los lagartos.

Tropidurus semitaeniatus and Tropidurus hispidus are lizard species that are widely distributed in Brazil. The former is endemic to the Caatingas, where they live in syntopy with the latter, which is distributed in other ecosystems and biomes. In this work, diet was evaluated including seasonal variations as well as foraging behavior, to determine the importance of these factors in the structure of these populations and the coexistence of these species in syntopy. No significant difference was found in diet composition between the two species, although T. hispidus feed on larger preys than do T. semitaeniatus; this fact, along with the different foraging behavior in the rainy season, are ecological factors that contribute to the syntopic coexistence of these species in the Caatinga area studied Tropidurus semitaeniatus e Tropidurus hispidus são espécies de lagartos que têm ampla distribuição no Brasil, sendo que a primeira é reconhecida como endêmica das Caatingas, onde vive em sintopia com a segunda, que se distribui em outros ecossistemas e biomas. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a dieta incluindo variações sazonais e o comportamento de forrageio, para averiguar a importância de tais fatores na estrutura dessas populações e coexistência dessas espécies em sintopia. Não se constatou diferença significativa na composição da dieta das duas espécies, embora T. hispidus se alimente de presas maiores do que T. semitaeniatus; este fato, aliado à diferença no comportamento de forrageio na estação chuvosa, são fatores ecológicos que contribuem para a coexistência sintópica dessas espécies na área de Caatinga estudada

CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior Este estudo teve como objetivo elaborar um etograma básico para indivíduos adultos de Tropidurus itambere, através de observações realizadas em ambiente natural e em ambientes artificiais e estudar a ecologia termal e o dimorfismo sexual dos indivíduos, em dezembro de 2006 e entre fevereiro e novembro de 2007. As observações dos comportamentos foram realizadas pelo método do animal focal e scan, totalizando 285 horas de registros. Nos ambientes artificiais os lagartos foram observados em cinco situações: (1) indivíduo sozinho; (2) 1 macho + 1 macho; (3) 1 macho + 1 fêmea (4) 2 machos + 1 fêmea (5) 1 fêmea + 1 fêmea. Os comportamentos exibidos pelos indivíduos cativos foram similares àqueles observados em campo. Foram registrados 78 atos comportamentais distribuídos em nove categorias funcionais. Os comportamentos movimentação vertical da cabeça (head bob) e lamber o substrato foram os atos comportamentais mais freqüentes exibidos pela espécie e parecem atuar juntos como sinais de reconhecimento, visual e químico, da área. A temperatura corpórea média de atividade de T. itambere foi de 32,08 ± 3,36ºC, com uma amplitude de 20,30 a 37,90ºC e apresentou variação sazonal. As temperaturas dos microhábitats (substrato e ar) influenciaram a temperatura corpórea dos lagartos sendo que na estação chuvosa a temperatura do ar explicou melhor a temperatura dos lagartos e, na estação seca, a temperatura do substrato explicou melhor a temperatura dos indivíduos. As análises mostraram uma diferença significativa no tamanho e forma do corpo e massa corpórea entre os sexos, com os machos sendo mais pesados e maiores, apresentando as medidas de todas as variáveis morfométricas significativamente maiores do que as medidas das fêmeas, com exceção da largura do abdômen cuja média das fêmeas foi maior do que a dos machos, porém essa diferença não foi significativa. A análise discriminante selecionou o tamanho da cabeça (RCT) como a variável que melhor explicou as diferenças entre os sexos, tendo classificado corretamente 89,5% dos indivíduos. The aim of this study was to elaborate a basic ethogram for adult individuals of Tropidurus itambere, through observations accomplished in field and outdoor and indoor enclosures and to study the thermal ecology and the sexual dimorphism of the lizards, on December 2006 and between February and November 2007. The observations of the behaviors were accomplished by the method of the focal animal and scan, totalizing 285 hours of registrations. In the artificial enclosures the lizards were observed in five situations: (1) individual alone; (2) 1 male + 1 male; (3) 1 male + 1 female (4) 2 males + 1 female (5) 1 female + 1 female. The behaviors exhibited by the captive individuals were similar to those observed in the field. We registered 78 behavioral acts distributed in nine functional categories. The head bob was the act more frequently exhibited by the species, having been observed in all the treatments in the outdoor enclosure. The behaviors head bob and to lick the substratum seem to act together as signs of recognition of the area. The body temperature average of activity of T. itambere was 32,08 ± 3,36ºC and it presented seasonal variation accompanying the environmental temperatures. The temperatures of the microhabitats (substratum and air) influenced the body temperature of the lizards so that in the rainy season just the temperature of the air affected the temperature of the lizards and, in the dry season, just the temperature of the substratum affected the temperature of individuals. The analyses showed a significant difference in size and shape of the body and mass between the sexes, with the males being heavier and larger, presenting the measures of all the morphometrics variables significantly larger than the measures of the females, except for the width of the abdomen whose average of the females was larger than that of the males, even so that difference was not significant. The discriminant analysis selected the size of the head (RCT) as the variable that better explained the differences between the sexes, having classified correctly 89,5% of the individuals.

The spermatozoon of Iguana iguana is filiform and resembles that of other iguanian lizards, being most similar to Tropidurus. All sperm synapomorphies of Tetrapoda, Amniota and Squamata are present in the sperm of Iguana iguana. By reconstructing the evolution of 30 sperm characters we identified a novel synapomorphy of Iguania: the presence of a well-developed acrosomal ridge at the level of the epinuclear lucent zone. Because of the poor topological resolution among iguanian clades we could not discount the possibility of convergence or neutral selection as determinant of the variability in characteristics of the sperm cell. In agreement with previous studies, we identified heterogeneous rates of evolution among the three main regions of the sperm cell, namely the head, midpiece and tail.

SUMMARYTropidurid lizards have colonized a variety of Brazilian open environments without remarkable morphological variation, despite ecological and structural differences among habitats used. This study focuses on two Tropidurussister-species that, despite systematic proximity and similar morphology,exhibit great ecological divergence and a third ecologically generalist congeneric species providing an outgroup comparison. We quantified jumping capacity and sprint speed of each species on sand and rock to test whether ecological divergence was also accompanied by differences in locomotor performance. Relevant physiological traits possibly associated with locomotor performance – metabolic scopes and fiber type composition, power output and activity of the enzymes citrate synthase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase of the iliofibularis muscle – were also compared among the three Tropidurus species. We found that the two sister-species exhibited remarkable differences in jumping performance, while Tropidurus oreadicus, the more distantly related species, exhibited intermediate values. Tropidurus psamonastes, a species endemic to sand dunes,exhibited high absolute sprint speeds on sand, jumped rarely and possessed a high proportion of glycolytic fibers and low activity of citrate synthase. The sister-species Tropidurus itambere, endemic to rocky outcrops,performed a large number of jumps and achieved lower absolute sprint speed than T. psamonastes. This study provides evidence of rapid divergence of locomotor parameters between sister-species that use different substrates,which is only partially explained by variation in physiological parameters of the iliofibularis muscle.

Nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial genes (ND1, ND2, COI, and tRNAs) were determined for 38 samples representing 15 taxa of tropidurid lizards from the Galapagos Islands and mainland South America. Phylogenetically informative characters (759 of 1,956) were analyzed under Bayesian, maximum likelihood, and parsimony frameworks. This study supports the hypothesis that tropidurid lizards dispersed to the Galapagos on at least two separate occasions. One dispersal event involved an eastern Galapagos clade (Microlophus habelii and M. bivittatus, on Marchena and San Cristobal islands, respectively) the sister taxon of which is M. occipitalis from coastal Ecuador and Peru; the closest mainland relative of the western Galapagos clade was not unambiguously identified. The wide-ranging M. albemarlensis is revealed to be a complex of weakly divergent lineages that is paraphyletic with respect to the insular species M. duncanensis, M. grayii, and M. pacificus.

By use of the technique of direct optimization the phylogenetics of the cis-Andean lizard genus Tropidurus were examined on the basis of both molecular (ca. 1.04 kb of sequences from 12S rDNA, valine tDNA, and 16S rDNA) and morphological (93 characters) data. Although equal weighting of all parsimony cost functions logically must maximize descriptive efficiency and explanatory power of all evidence, a sensitivity analysis demonstrated that equal weighting of indels, transitions, transversions, and morphological change provided the most congruent solution between the molecular and the morphological data partitions. The position of Uranoscodon is resolved as the sister taxon of the remaining members of the Tropidurinae. Plica, Uracentron, and Strobilurus, previously considered synonyms of Tropidurus, are resurrected; the group of these three genera form the sister taxon of the former Tropidurus nanuzae group (herein named Eurolophosaurus) plus Tropidurus sensu stricto (composed of the T. bogerti, T. semitaeniatus, T. spinulosus, and T. torquatus groups, herein diagnosed).

This report deals with the identification of samples of nematodes recovered from Tropidurus nanuzae Rodrigues, 1981, with the description of a new species, and is a part of a major study on helminth parasites of reptiles in Brazil, taking into account previous data on this subject. The main approach is that referring to the first occurrence of subulurid nematodes in a reptilian host, since they have been assigned previously to birds and mammals.

The nanuzae group of lizards includes three species, Tropidurus nanuzae, T. divaricatus and T. amathites. The first species is found along Serra do Espinhaço, in eastern Brazil, and the other two in the northern region of the Brazilian State of Bahia, in continental dunes on both margins of the São Francisco River. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of the mtDNA in these species were detected in 53 restriction sites. Site and fragment length polymorphisms were characterized, and cases of heteroplasmy involving length variation were observed. In T. divaricatus, these variations involved changes of 50-200 bp, probably in the control region of the molecule. In T. amathites, variation was apparently due to duplication/deletion of a 400-bp segment. Fragment length mutation rate varied among the species, being smaller in T. amathites than in T. divaricatus. Relatively low nucleotide diversity values were detected in these populations, the smallest being found in T. nanuzae. The most polymorphic population was T. divaricatus from Alagoado, followed by that of the same species from Ibiraba, suggesting both probable recovery of mtDNA genetic diversity after putative reductions in population size, and recent population expansion.O grupo nanuzae de lagartos compreende três espécies, Tropidurus nanuzae, T. divaricatus e T. amathites. A primeira é encontrada ao longo da Serra do Espinhaço, na região leste do Brasil, e as outras duas na região norte do Estado da Bahia, nas dunas continentais do Rio São Francisco, em margens opostas. Essas três espécies foram analisadas quanto a polimorfismos de tamanho de fragmentos de restrição (RFLP) do DNAmit, tendo sido caracterizados 53 sítios de restrição. Polimorfismos de sítio e de tamanho de alguns fragmentos específicos foram caracterizados, bem como casos de heteroplasmia envolvendo variações de tamanho. Em T. divaricatus, estas variações correspondem a 50-200 pb, provavelmente localizadas na região controle da molécula; em T. amathites, a variação é provavelmente devida a uma duplicação ou deleção de um segmento de 400 pb. A taxa de mutação envolvendo tamanho de fragmentos mostrou-se menor em T. amathites, quando comparada a T. divaricatus. Índices relativamente baixos de diversidade de nucleotídeos foram detectados em todas as populações analisadas, os menores sendo encontrados nas populações de T. nanuzae. T. divaricatus de Alagoado mostrou-se a população mais polimórfica, seguida da população de Ibiraba. É sugerido que estas duas populações possam estar recuperando a diversidade quanto ao DNAmit após possíveis reduções nos tamanhos populacionais. O maior grau de polimorfismo encontrado em T. divaricatus talvez reflita uma expansão populacional recente nesta espécie.

We compared morphology of two geographically close populations of the tropical lizard Tropidurus hispidus to test the hypothesis that habitat structure influences the evolution of morphology and ecology at the population level. T. hispidus isolated on a rock outcrop surrounded by tropical forest use rock crevices for refuge and appear dorsoventrally compressed compared with those in open savanna. A principal components analysis revealed that the populations were differentially distributed along an axis representing primarily three components of shape: body width, body height, and hind-leg length. Morphological divergence was supported by a principal components analysis of size-free morphological variables. Mitochondrial DNA sequences of ATPase 6 indicate that these populations are closely related relative to other T. hispidus , the rock outcrop morphology and ecology are derived within T. hispidus , and morphological and ecological divergence has occurred more rapidly than genetic divergence. This suggests that natural selection can rapidly adjust morphology and ecology in response to a recent history of exposure to habitats differing in structure, a result heretofore implied from comparative studies among lizard species.

The South American and cis-andean lizard genus Tropidurus has a complex taxonomic history. Most species were recently described and previous revisions included few specimens from the southern part of the continent. Tropidurus torquatus has the broadest geographic distribution in the genus and several morphological and ecological differences were described within its distribution. We analyzed the geographic variation in external morphological characters of Tropidurus torquatus, including large number of samples from southern Brazil. Tropidurus catalanensis is revalidated and Tropidurus imbituba sp. nov., with a restrict distribution in the southern coast of Brazil, is described. The new species is distinguished from Tropidurus catalanensis by the number of dorsal scales. It can be distinguished from T. catalanensis and T. torquatus by a distinct orange ventral coloration in adults, which can reach the lateral portion of the body in adult males. Our analysis also suggests that at least two other undescribed species could be recognized under the name Tropidurus torquatus in southeastern and central Brazil.

This study describes and analyzes the distribution of the lizard genus Tropidurus based on an updated database and the current taxonomy. General distributional patterns and endemism are identified, the distributions of several species are expanded and previous failures in the determination of specific names are corrected. I provide distributional maps for all species currently assigned to Tropidurus including all occurrence records collected and critical comments on the patterns documented and conservation.

Orientador: Augusto S. Abe Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia Doutorado Doutor em Ecologia

Sixteen specimens representing 7 species of lizards (Hoplocercus spinosus, Ophiodes striatus, Polychrus acutirostris, Stenocercus caducus, Tropidurus guarani, Tropidurus itambere, and Tupinambis merianae) collected in the Cerrado biome at the Brazilian state Mato Grosso do Sul were examined for helminths. Nine species of nematodes were recovered from lizard hosts (Cruzia travassosi, Cyrtosomum sp., Diaphanocephalus galeatus, Gynaecometra bahiensis, Pharyngodon cesarpintoi, Physaloptera sp., Skrjabinellazia intermedia, Strongyluris oscari, and an unidentified species of nematode). Five new host records and 3 new locality records were reported.

We studied habitat use, activity patterns, foraging mode, and prey spectrum of Tropidurus azureus werneri using a tower crane located in an Amazonian lowland rain forest in southern Venezuela. The lizards were strictly arboreal with a preference for the branches and twigs of the canopy. The horizontal distribution of lizards within the 1.4-ha study area was clustered and remained remarkably stable during two consecutive years. The lizards favored high and well-structured crowns with tree holes that served as shelters during the night. Activity was highest at air temperatures above 28°C measured at a height of 21 m. Activity patterns were influenced by cloud Cover and insolation. Tvopidums azureus werneri showed notable agility and tended toward more active foraging patterns than found in other tropidurid lizards. The prey spectrum was dominated by ants.

The holotype of Stenocercus marmoratus is redescribed, and morphological variation is doc- umented for this poorly known tropidurid lizard. Stenocercus marmoratus has a more extensive distribution than previously thought and inhabits subhumid habitats of the Andes from Cochabamba, Bolivia to north- ernmost Argentina. Dumeril and Bibron are the authors of the name marmoratus and not D'Orbigny as believed by some revisors of this species. A key to the genus Stenocercus in Bolivia and Argentina is provided. Five species of Stenocercus are currently rec- ognized in Argentina and Bolivia: S. caducus, S. doellojuradoi, S. pectinatus, S. marmoratus, and S. roseiventris. Stenocercus variabilis Boulenger has been reported from Bolivia (e.g., Burt and Burt, 1933; Fugler, 1989) although this species is most likely endemic to Peru: Fritts (1974) argued that Boulenger's (1901) locality information for this species was in error and that the holotype of S. variabilis came from Palca, Junin, Peru rather than "Palca," Bolivia. Three of the Argentinean and Bolivian species were included in the gen- era Ophryoessoides (S. caducus) and Proctotretus (S. doellojuradoi and S. pectinatus) before Frost (1992) reviewed the taxonomy of the Tropidurus group of lizards and concluded that these genera should be considered synonyms of Stenocercus. Stenocercus marmoratus and S. roseiventris have long been included in the genus Stenocercus.

Field observations on a population of Tropidurus melanopleurus confirm conspecificity by detection of courtship behavior. Peculiarities in female and juvenile behavior were observed in this poor known species.

Geographic variation and molecular evolution in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I were examined among 28 individuals representing 11 populations of the Tropidurus spinulosus complex in Paraguay and Brazil. Thirteen haplotypes were discovered with variation at 43 of 405 nucleotide positions. Polymorphisms were present in three geographic locations. All nucleotide substitutions were synonymous and predominantly C-T transitions at third codon positions. The minimum number of migration events required by most parsimonious mtDNA trees composed of all individual sequences was 11, decidedly fewer than predicted if haplotypes were distributed randomly. Phylogenetic analysis of 13 haplotypes revealed a tree with a basal dichotomy geographically consistent with separation of populations on either side of the Rio Paraguay. These transriver populations exhibited 5.9-7.5% sequence divergence between pairwise comparisons. The geographical barrier also was concordant with some geographic trends of squamation and adult coloration. Discordance of a few morphological characters with the molecular phylogenetic evidence may suggest that previcariance geographic variation in these features has persisted in the divergent lineages. Alternatively, convergence must be invoked to explain coherent geographic variation in morphological characters across well-supported molecular boundaries. Combining morphological characters with the mtDNA characters does not change topology of trees based on mtDNA characters alone. Populations east and west of the Rio Paraguay represent at least two distinct evolutionary lineages. Tropidurus guarani occurs on the eastern side of the Rio Paraguay, extending east and northeast into Mato Grosso do Sul and Goias, Brazil. We predict that additional data will reveal that T. guarani is composed of two lineages, and denote these species candidates as T. guarani "Paraguari" and T. guarani "Mato Grosso do

From 1990 through 1994, fecal samples were collected and examined for coccidian parasites from 26 giant land tortoises Geochelone nigra, from 715 lava lizards Tropidurus spp., from 139 land iguanas Conolophus subcristatus, and from 128 marine iguanas Amblyrhynchus cristatus, all of which inhabit various islands in the Galapagos Archipelago. None of the samples from A. cristatus or from C. subcristatus was infected with coccidia. Only 1 of 26 (4%) G. nigra was infected with a single Eimeria species that we describe here as new. A total of 262 of 715 (37%) individuals representing 3 species of Tropidurus discharged oocysts of 1-3 different coccidian species; these included 2 previously described species Eimeria tropidura and Isospora insularius, and an eimerian that we describe here as new. Additionally, 104 fecal samples from Tropidurus spp. were from 51 animals recaptured in either 2 or 3 yr; 21 had no infections in any year, 15 were infected at least once, 14 were infected in 2 yr, and only 1 was infected during 3 yr. No animal was recaptured and sampled during each of the 4 yr of this study. Of the 262 infected individuals, 30 (12%) had multiple coccidial infections at the time of collection (eimerian and isosporan, or 2 eimerians). Where determination of the sexes was possible in the lava lizards, there was no difference in prevalence rates between males (39%) and females (41%). Sporulated oocysts of the new eimerian from Tropidurus are ellipsoidal, 27.1 x 15.6 (25-31 x 14-18) microns, with a polar body, but without a micropyle or oocyst residuum; they contain ellipsoidal sporocysts, 11.8 x 6.7 (10-14 x 6-8) microns, without Stieda, sub-, or parastieda bodies, but with a sporocyst residuum. Sporulated oocysts of the new eimerian from G. nigra are ellipsoidal to ovoidal, 21.6 x 18.1 (18-25 x 16-20) microns, with a large polar body, but without a micropyle or oocyst residuum; they contain ellipsoidal sporocysts 10.7 x 7.0 (8-12 x 5-8) microns, with Stieda body but no sub- or parastieda bodies. Also present is a sporocyst residuum of medium to large granules randomly distributed among the sporocysts.

Tropidurus melanopleurus is a highly dimorphic tropidurid lizard that is found on the eastern slopes of the Andes from Argentina to Peru. Adult males are larger than females and also have longer and wider heads. The hind legs show isometric growth in females and negative allometric growth in males, as do head width and head length of both sexes. Sexes differ in thermoregulation and diet. Males appear to be thermoregulators, whereas females are thermoconformers. Females are active over broader ranges of body temperature. Males prey upon a wide variety of arthropods, whereas females have a narrow myrmecophagous diet. At present, it is not possible to decide whether sexual or natural selection explains the sexual dimorphism observed in T. melanopleurus. Body size could be the product of sexual selection modified by ecological factors.

I examined colony and nest site selection in lava lizards that nested in 82 colonies on six Galapagos Islands in May 1991. All colonies were in, or on the edges of, open sand or dirt areas. The colony sites differed from the surrounding area in having a higher percentage of sand and a lower percentage of rock or vegetation cover. In most colonies, the lizards' choice of a nest site differed significantly from the available cover within the colony. In areas with sea lion Zalophus californianus rookeries, the lava lizards either nested higher on the beach out of the way of the sea lions (Santa Fe, Fernandina, Floreana islands) or nested in rocks or vegetation (Seymour Island) avoided by the sea lions.

STEBBINS, R. C., J. M. LOWENSTEIN, AND N. W. COHEN. 1967. A field study of the lava lizard (Tropidurus albemarlensis) in the Galapagos Islands. Ecology 48: 839-851. STONEBURNER, D. L., AND J. I. RICHARDSON. 1981. Role of temperature in loggerhead turtle nest site selection. Copeia 1981:238-241. VINEGAR, A. 1974. Evolutionary implications of temperature-induced anomalies of development in snake embryos. Herpetologica 30:73-74. WERNER, D. I. 1978. On the biology of Tropidurus delanonis, Baur (Iguanidae) Z. Tierpsychol. 47:337395.

TIMMIS, W. H. 1969. Observations on Pacific boas at Sydney Zoo. Int. Zool. Y. B., Vol. 9:53. UNDERWOOD, G. 1970. A systematic analysis of boid snakes. Linn. Soc. Symp. Ser. No. 3:151-175. VITT, L. J., AND J. D. CONGDON. 1978. Body shape, reproductive effort, and relative clutch mass in lizards: resolution of a paradox. Amer. Natur. 112: 595-608. WYNN, A. H., AND G. R. ZUG. 1985. Observations on the reproductive biology of Candoia carinata (Serpentes, Boidae). The Snake 17:15-24.

Fecal samples of 14 Conolophus subcristatus from Isla Plaza Sur and of 24 Tropidurus delanonis from Isla Espafiola and several satellite islets, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, collected during June and July 1987 were examined for coccidian oocysts. None of the samples from C. subcristatus contained oocysts, but 11 of 24 (46%) samples from T. delanonis had oocysts when examined. Two Eimeria and 1 Isospora spp. were present, which we describe here as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tropidura n. sp. are ellipsoidal, 32.5 x 23.8 (21-38 x 19-30) im, with spheroidal to subspheroidal sporocysts, 8.2 x 7.9 (7-10 x 5-10) ,m. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria galapagoensis n. sp. are cylindroidal, 32.8 x 14.0 (27-36 x 12-17) Am, with spheroidal sporocysts 7.5 (7.5) Aim. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora insularius n. sp. are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 24.5 x 22.3 (19-30 x 18-27) ,im, with lemon-shaped sporocysts, 16.6 x 9.3 (9-17 x 7-13) gm. Each of the 11 positive fecal samples had oocysts of only 1 coccidian species, i.e., the different coccidian species did not share individual hosts.

1. 1. Lipid concentrations and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in the plasma Tropidurus torquatos were remarkably variable. 2. 2. Both lipid levels and LCAT activity were highest for lizards collected during the early rainy season (March–April) than during other seasons, and were higher for females than for males. 3. 3. Plasma lipid levels and LCAT activity were significantly and inversely correlated with body weight (age) of male lizards, this being associated with an apparent change to an herbivorous diet in older males. 4. 4. During prolonged fasting, plasma lipid levels and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransfer (LCAT) and hepatic phospholipids were markedly reduced. 5. 5. LCAT activity in plasma of fasted and non-fated lizards was significantly correlated with the molar proportion of PC to UC, suggesting that the apparent low LCAT in plasma of fasted lizards is partly due to depletion of PC in the lipoprotein substrates.

The seasonal reproductive cycle was studied in two species of Tropidurus from northern Chile. Tropidurus quadrivittatus was collected from a coastal locality, while Tropidurus theresioides was collected from the bordering Atacama desert at 1250 m. No rainfall occurs in either area. Reproductively active T. theresioides females were found from September to January (spring–summer in the southern hemisphere). There was no distinct spermiogenic cycle in either species. The average clutch size was 2·80 (1–5 eggs). Reproductively active female T. quadrivittatus were similarly found from August to December (spring–summer). The average clutch size was 3·16 (2–5 eggs). It appears that females of both species may produce more than one egg clutch per year.

A population of Tropidurus peruvianus was studied using Barber traps along an elevational transect in the Lomas of southern Peru from April 1974 to May 1975. Most of the specimens were collected in the lowest part of the transect (250–450 m) and during the fall; none was collected in the more humid and vegetated area of Lomas, between 600 and 900 m. Tropidurus peruvianus is omnivorous and captures arthropod prey in proportion to its availability. The more important items in the diet were adult and larval beetles, ants, and flies. Average food niche breadth was 1·07, a little higher than the value for high Andean lizards. It is suggested that T. peruvianus selects habitats according to environmental humidity—it is neither present in the drier desert plateaux nor in the more mesic portions of the Lomas.

Man's tremendously increased migratory potention, coupled with his ability to transport any material, causes ecological revolutions on most islands of this world–Fernandina and most smaller islands of the Galapagos being fortunate exceptions to that rule. It is proposed to make distinctions between species colonizing the Galapagos We can distinguish between those immigrant species which do not profit from man as a transport medium (independent immigrants) and those who do depend on him (man-dependent immigrants). These immigrants, in turn, may or may not be able to settle and these settlers may either gain a footing with or without depending on man's direct or indirect influence on the habitat (non-settlers, primary resource-using settlers, and secondary resource-using settlers). Introduced species represent a terrible attack on the biotic uniqueness of the Galapagos ecosystems. However, it is proposed to make better use of the scientific value of these introductions. For example, a case of selective impact of an introduced on an indigenous species was investigated: lava lizards of the genus Tropidurus seem to be more wary of moving objects on islands where cats have been introduced by man than on islands free of cats. Under the peculiar Galapagos conditions it may turn out that science's most difficult and important task is to investigate and interpret man's role in such places.

The interaction of sexual and natural selection in shaping variation in defensive behavior was explored via three steps. (1) Three predictions from the hypothesis that varying responses to predation account for intrapopulation variation in locomotory performance and wariness were tested. One measure of locomotory performance and two measures of wariness were compared between lava lizards (Tropidurus albemarlensis) inhabiting sparsely (1% cover) and heavily (33% cover) vegetated areas of Isla Plaza Sur in the Galapagos Archipelago. (2) Variation in morphology was examined to identify proximate mechanisms for differences seen in (1). (3) Levels of predation were compared between males and females to test a prediction from a model explaining the observed variation in defensive behavior. Male, but not female, lizards from sparsely vegetated areas were faster than those from heavily vegetated areas. Both male and female lizards from sparsely vegetated areas were significantly warier than those from heavily vegetated areas. Multiple regression, covariance, and residual analyses identify relatively longer hindlimbs of males as the proximate cause of their greater speed over that of females, rather than differences in body size, but neither body nor hindlimb size account for the microgeographic differences in speed of males. Significantly higher predation on males provided a positive test of the major prediction from our model of selective forces in which sexual selection for territory defense by males favors short approach distances (by minimizing time away from the territory caused by erroneous flight) and leads to natural selection for their increased hindlimb size and speed.

1. 1. The lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) reaction is active in the plasma of both Tropidurus troquatos and Ameiva ameiva . 2. 2. LCAT in T. torquatos plasma was completely inhibited by 1 mM concentrations of disulphide, whereas the A. ameiva enzyme was only partially inhibited by disulphide at 10 mM concentrations. 3. 3. LCAT activity in T. torquatos plasma was measured by the Stokke- Norum procedure, whereas this method is counterindicated for A. ameiva LCAT, which instead was measured by the Glomset and Wright method. 4. 4. In both species absolute activity was variable but was of a similar order to that of LCAT in human plasma.

RBG banding resulting in multiple, clear DNA replication bands was obtained on the chromosomes of Tropidurus montanus (2n = 36) and T. torquatus (2n = 36) after fibroblast culture and BrdU incorporation. High-resolution RBG-banding patterns of prometaphase chromosomes are presented.

The males, females, and nymphs of Ornithodoros ( Alectorobius ) darwini and O. ( A. ) galapagensis , both originally described by Kohls, Clifford & Hoogstraal from larvae only, are described from specimens collected on 7 islands of the Galapagos Archipelago on and in resting areas of the marine iguanid lizard Amblyrhynchus cristatus , land iguanids Conolophus subcristatus and C. pallidus , and lava lizard Tropidurus albemarlensis. O. ( A. ) galapogensis is much more numerous in our collections than O. ( A. ) darwini and is associated chiefly with the marine iguanid. Among the ca 100 species of the genus Ornithodoros , the only other one considered to be specific for reptiles is the tortoise parasite O. ( O. ) compactus of South Africa.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:42:34Z No. of bitstreams: 0 Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:42:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-05-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:29:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-05-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:52:53Z No. of bitstreams: 0 Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:52:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-05-01 Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (FUNCAP) Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) No presente estudo foi analisado o parasitismo do lagarto Tropidurus hispidus pelos ácaros Geckobiella sp. e larvas de Eutrombicula alfreddugesi em uma área na Chapada do Araripe (07° 16' S e 39° 26' W), região sul do Estado do Ceará, Brasil. Dos 56 lagartos coletados (26 fêmeas, 27 machos, e 3 juvenis), 40 (prevalência total de 71,42%) estavam infestados por ácaros. Entre os sites de infestação, as bolsas de ácaros foram os mais infestados pelas larvas de E. alfreddugesi, enquanto Geckobiella sp. foi encontrado distribuído uniformemente sob as escamas por todo o corpo dos hospedeiros. Os espécimes fêmeas de T. hispidus parasitados por E. alfreddugesi tinham uma infestação média de 8,57 ± 3,63, 1-27, enquanto os machos tinham uma média de infestação de 11,90 ± 2,63, 1-25. Os espécimes fêmeas parasitados por Geckobiella sp. tinham uma infestação média de 5,91 ± 2,28, 1-25, enquanto que os machos tinham uma infestação média de 5,43 ± 1,52, 1-23. Sete espécimes estavam também infestados por ovos e formas imaturas de ácaros não identificados (infestação média de 2,28 ± 0,89, 1-7). Não houve diferenças significativas entre a prevalência total de ácaros em machos (70,4%) e fêmeas (65,4%) adultas. As médias dos tamanhos corporais não influenciaram as taxas de infestação. A intensidade de infestação média por E. alfreddugesi (10,2 ± 8,7) foi significativamente maior do que a encontrada para Geckobiella sp. (5,9 ± 6,8). T. hispidus constitui um novo registro de hospedeiro para ácaros do gênero Geckobiella. Parasitism of the lizard Tropidurus hispidus by Geckobiella sp. and by larvae of Eutrombicula alfreddugesi was examined in a mountainous area in Chapada do Araripe (07° 16' S and 39° 26' W), southern Ceará State, Brazil. of the 56 lizards collected (26 females, 27 males, and 3 juveniles), 40 (total prevalence of 71.42%) were infested by mites. Mite-pockets were the sites most heavily infested by E. alfreddugesi larvae, while Geckobiella sp. was found uniformly distributed under scales over the host's entire body. The female specimens of T. hispidus parasitised by E. alfreddugesi had an average infestation rate of 8.57 ± 3.62, 1-27, while the males had an average infestation rate of 11.90 ± 2.63, 1-25. The female specimens parasitised by Geckobiella sp. had an average infestation rate of 5.91 ± 2.28, 1-25, while the males had an average infestation rate of 5.43 ± 1.52, 1-23. Seven specimens were also infested by eggs and immature forms of unidentified mites (average 2.28 ± 0.89, 1-7). There were no significant differences between the total prevalence of mites on adult male (70.4%) and adult female (65.4%) lizards. The body sizes of the hosts did not influence their infestation rates. The average infestation intensity by E. alfreddugesi (10.2 ± 8.7) was significantly greater than the average infestation intensity by Geckobiella sp. (5.9 ± 6.8). T. hispidus is the new host record to Geckobiella mites. Universidade Regional do Cariri Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Pernambuco Departamento de Zoologia Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Parasitologia Universidade Regional do Cariri Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde Departamento de Química Biológica Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Parasitologia FUNCAP: BPI-0112-2.05/08 IBAMA: 14100-1 IBAMA: 007/2007 - CGFAP/IBAMA 02007.001009/2004

(1891). LVIII.—On the Galapagos lizards of the genus Tropidurus. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 7, No. 42, pp. 501-503.

Relata-se o encontro no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de triatomíneos e lagartos, respectivamente o Triatoma arthurneivai e Tropidurus torquatus, parasitados por uma hemogregarina semelhante a Hepatozoon triatomae (Osimani, 1942) Reichenow, 1953. São apresentados aspectos da sua morfologia e estudadas as diversas fases do seu ciclo evolutivo, este inteiramente reproduzido em laboratório. The author relates the discovery of Triatoma arthurneivai and Tropidurus torquatus, in the localities of Lavras de Cima and Santo Antonio, State of São Paulo, Brazil, infected by a hemogregarine similar to Hepatozoon triatomae (Osimani, 1942) Reichenow 1953. He presents certain aspects of its morphology and also studies the several phases of its evolution cycle, which were completed in the laboratory.

Saurian Plasmodium populations previously identified as P. tropiduri from Panama are described as subspecies or distinct species. The nominate subspecies, P. tropiduri tropiduri parasitizes Tropidurus species from Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela. Two other subspecies occur in Panama, P. tropiduri panamense from Anolis biporcatus and P. tropiduri aquaticum from the semi-aquatic lizards Anolis lionotus and A. poecilopus . Parasites found in Anolis frenatus are described as a distinct species, P. marginatum , while those from Anolis limifrons represent a third, un-named species. A parasite of Plica plica in Guyana, previously called P. cnemidophori , is designated P. guyannense , while identification of Plica umbra parasites as P. tropiduri is corrected to P. vacuolatum and Fallisia simplex .