Macroenvironmental influence on Hepatozoon lacertilis infectivity to lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis.

Hemidactylus flaviviridis Ruppell, 1835 (n= 199) sampled during different seasons from Bareilly, (Uttar Pradesh, India) were infected with a sporozoan parasite belonging to the genus Hepatozoon Miller, 1908. Four morphovariants of the parasite, Type I, II, III and IV were identified on their growing pattern. When compared with earlier reported species, the parasite could be characterized taxonomically by its comparatively greater length 17.35 (13.57-21.30) μm and width 7.51 (5.59-10.11) μm, unusual larger size of parasite nuclear length 8.86 (4.75- 15.83) μm and width 3.55 (2.14-5.11) μm and cytomorphological differences. These characteristics warrant creation of a new species and was named Hepatozoon lacertilis sp. nov. The morpho-variants, their effect on host cell and host nuclei are clearly illustrated. The influence of macroenvironmental factor (host sex) on parasitic infectivity indicated that it was 7.14% prevalant in male and 6.25% in female Hemidactylus flaviviridis.

Gradient of reduced glutathione in the tail of Hemidactylus leschenaultii (Sauria: Gekkonidae).

A proximo-distal gradient of reduced glutathione (GSH), a non enzymatic antioxidant was observed in the original tails of the lizard, H. leschenaultii. In the regenerating tails, a gradual increase in the level of GSH was noted with tail elongation. In the newly regenerated tails also the level of GSH remained higher in the proximal part than the corresponding distal parts.

Feeding ecology of a nocturnal invasive alien lizard species, Hemidactylus mabouia Moreau de Jonnès, 1818 (Gekkonidae), living in an outcrop rocky area in southeastern Brazil

We studied in fieldwork, the feeding ecology of a Hemidactylus mabouia population from southeastern Brazil throughout one year in a region with marked climatic seasonality. A sampling of availability of arthropods in the environment was carried out, which evidenced that the availability of food resources influenced the composition of the diet of H. mabouia. There were no seasonal differences on diet composition, which may be due to the relatively constant availability on prey throughout the year. In general, this population can be classified as generalist and opportunistic regarding diet. There was a high food niche overlap among juveniles and adults, although juvenile lizards tend to eat higer number of prey (but in lower volume) when compared to adult lizards. The ability to exploit a wide array of prey in an efficient way, maintaining a positive energetic balance, may be a factor determining the efficiency of this exotic species to occupy invaded areas.

Estudamos a ecologia alimentar de uma população de Hemidactylus mabouia do sudeste do Brasil ao longo de um ano, em uma região com sazonalidade climática marcada. Foi realizada uma amostragem dos artrópodes no ambiente, o que permitiu constatar que a disponibilidade das presas influenciou a composição da dieta de H. mabouia. Não houve diferenças sazonais na composição da dieta, o que pode resultar de uma constância na disponibilidade de presas ao longo do ano. De modo geral, os dados mostraram que esta população estudada é generalista e oportunista quanto a sua dieta. Houve uma elevada sobreposição de nicho trófico, porém os lagartos jovens tenderam a ingerir uma quantidade maior de presas (porém de menor volume) quando comparados aos lagartos adultos. A capacidade de explorar de maneira eficiente os recursos locais, mantendo um balanço energético positivo, pode ser um fator responsável pela habilidade de colonização desta espécie exótica vivendo na natureza.

Feeding ecology of a nocturnal invasive alien lizard species, Hemidactylus mabouia Moreau de Jonnès, 1818 (Gekkonidae), living in an outcrop rocky area in southeastern Brazil

We studied in fieldwork, the feeding ecology of a Hemidactylus mabouia population from southeastern Brazil throughout one year in a region with marked climatic seasonality. A sampling of availability of arthropods in the environment was carried out, which evidenced that the availability of food resources influenced the composition of the diet of H. mabouia. There were no seasonal differences on diet composition, which may be due to the relatively constant availability on prey throughout the year. In general, this population can be classified as generalist and opportunistic regarding diet. There was a high food niche overlap among juveniles and adults, although juvenile lizards tend to eat higer number of prey (but in lower volume) when compared to adult lizards. The ability to exploit a wide array of prey in an efficient way, maintaining a positive energetic balance, may be a factor determining the efficiency of this exotic species to occupy invaded areas.

Estudamos a ecologia alimentar de uma população de Hemidactylus mabouia do sudeste do Brasil ao longo de um ano, em uma região com sazonalidade climática marcada. Foi realizada uma amostragem dos artrópodes no ambiente, o que permitiu constatar que a disponibilidade das presas influenciou a composição da dieta de H. mabouia. Não houve diferenças sazonais na composição da dieta, o que pode resultar de uma constância na disponibilidade de presas ao longo do ano. De modo geral, os dados mostraram que esta população estudada é generalista e oportunista quanto a sua dieta. Houve uma elevada sobreposição de nicho trófico, porém os lagartos jovens tenderam a ingerir uma quantidade maior de presas (porém de menor volume) quando comparados aos lagartos adultos. A capacidade de explorar de maneira eficiente os recursos locais, mantendo um balanço energético positivo, pode ser um fator responsável pela habilidade de colonização desta espécie exótica vivendo na natureza.

Hemidactylus frenatus (Squamata: Gekkonidae): call frequency, movement and condition of tail in Costa Rica

Call frequency and movements of the gecko Hemidactylus frenatus were studied in Punta Morales, Costa Rica from April 1999 through May 2000. Call activity of H. frenatus was positively related to air temperature at night and throughout the year. Higher activity was at dusk, dawn, and during the hottest months. Call frequency was related with gecko abundance per month, although not during the night. More males and females had a regenerated tail compared to juveniles, the last ones could have it complete or regenerated. Females moved longer distances than males and juveniles. Adults were found higher on walls. Males and females were recaptured more times than juveniles, and the period of time between their recaptures was longer. Members of this population do not seem to be as aggressive to other geckos as mentioned in the literature.

Estudié la frecuencia de canto y el desplazamiento de la lagartija Hemidactylus frenatus en Punta Morales, Costa Rica. La frecuencia de canto se corelaciona positivamente con la temperatura ambiental durante la noche y con la temperatura a lo largo del año. La mayor actividad fue al anochecer, al amanecer y durante los meses más calurosos. La abundancia mensual de lagartijas se relacionó con la frecuencia de canto, no así la abundancia por noche. Las colas regeneradas son más frecuentes en hembras y machos que en las lagartijas jóvenes. Las hembras se desplazaron mayores distancias que machos y jóvenes. Los adultos se encontraban más alto en las paredes de los edificios. Los machos y hembras se recapturaron más veces que los jóvenes, y el tiempo entre recapturas fue mayor. Esta población no parece ser tan agresiva como se menciona en la literatura.

The terrestrial reptile fauna of the Abrolhos Archipelago: species list and ecological aspects

We have studied the terrestrial reptile fauna of the Abrolhos Archipelago (a group of five islands located ca. 70 km off the southern coast of the State of Bahia, Brazil) and analyze here some of its ecological aspects such as diet, thermal ecology, activity, and some reproductive parameters. Three lizards comprise the archipelago's terrestrial reptile fauna: Tropidurus torquatus (Tropiduridae), Mabuya agilis (Scincidae), and Hemidactylus mabouia (Gekkonidae). The first two are diurnal and the latter is crepuscular/nocturnal (initiating activity at ca. 17:30). The activity period of T. torquatus extended from 5:30 to 18:30 h. Mean field body temperatures of active T. torquatus, M. agilis, and H. mabouia were, respectively, 34.0 ± 3.7ºC (range 23.8-38.0ºC; N = 75), 34.5 ± 2.2ºC (range 30.8-37.0ºC; N = 6), and 26.3 ± 1.1ºC (range 24.8-28.0ºC; N = 8). The predominant prey items in the diet of T. torquatus were ants, coleopterans, and hemipterans. In the diet of M. agilis, coleopterans were the most frequent prey items. For H. mabouia, the most important dietary items were orthopterans. Clutch size of T. torquatus averaged 4.1 ± 1.1 (range 2-6; N = 15) and was significantly related to female size (R² = 0.618; p = 0.001; N = 15). Clutch size for H. mabouia was fixed (two) and mean litter size of the viviparous M. agilis was 3.3 ± 0.6 (range 3-4; N = 3). Tropidurus torquatus and H. mabouia deposit their eggs under rocks in the study area, with the former burying them but not the latter; in both species, more than one female often oviposit under the same rock.

Estudamos a fauna de répteis terrestre do Arquipélago de Abrolhos (um conjunto de cinco ilhas localizadas a 70 km da costa sul do Estado da Bahia, Brasil) e analisamos alguns aspectos da ecologia das espécies, como a dieta, ecologia termal, atividade e alguns parâmetros reprodutivos. A fauna de répteis do arquipélago compreende três lagartos: Tropidurus torquatus (Tropiduridae), Mabuya agilis (Scincidae) e Hemidactylus mabouia (Gekkonidae). Os dois primeiros são diurnos e o último é crepuscular/noturno (iniciando atividade às 17h30). O período de atividade de T. torquatus se estendeu de 5h30 a 18h30. As temperaturas corpóreas médias em atividade de T. torquatus, M. agilis e H. mabouia foram, respectivamente, de 34,0 ± 3.7ºC (amplitude 23,8-38,0ºC; N = 75), 34,5 ± 2,2ºC (amplitude 30,8-37,0ºC; N = 6) e 26,3 ± 1,1ºC (amplitude 24,8-28,0ºC; N = 8). Os itens alimentares predominantes na dieta de T. torquatus foram formigas, coleópteros e hemípteros. Na dieta de M. agilis, coleópteros foram os itens mais freqüentes. Para H. mabouia, os itens alimentares mais importantes na dieta foram ortópteros. O tamanho médio da ninhada de T. torquatus foi de 4,1 ± 1,1 (amplitude 2-6; N = 15) e estava significativamente relacionado com o tamanho da fêmea (R² = 0,618; p = 0,001; N = 15). O número de ovos para H. mabouia foi fixo (dois) e o tamanho médio da ninhada para a espécie vivípara M. agilis foi de 3,3 ± 0,6 (amplitude 3-4; N = 3). Tropidurus torquatus e H. mabouia depositam seus ovos sob rochas na área estudada, sendo que o primeiro enterra seus ovos e o segundo não; em ambas as espécies, mais de uma fêmea freqüentemente utiliza a mesma rocha para oviposição.