Herpetofauna from the Conservation Units Mosaic of Jacupiranga (SP)

Author(s)

Eleonora Aguiar de Domenico

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo. , ilustrações.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2008-07-03

Examining board members

Hussam El Dine Zaher; Paulo Christiano de Anchietta Garcia; Ricardo Jannini Sawaya

• Advisor: Hussam El Dine Zaher
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Indexed in: Banco de Dados Bibliográficos da USP-DEDALUS; Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações - USP
• Location: Universidade de São Paulo. Biblioteca do Instituto de Biociências; IB/M-1361

Abstract

Field surveys are urgently in need due to the continuing loss of natural habitats and resulting populational decline and local species extinction. Herpetofaunal surveys are essential to improve our understanding of biogeographical issues concerning this group, and to delineate effective conservation strategies to preserve the evolutionary potential of existing lineages. The knowledge of amphibian and reptile biology and diversity in Brazil, and particulary in the state of São Paulo, is still unsatisfactory. Additionally, a significative portion of the remaining natural areas of this state have been poorly studied. This study aims to determine species composition of anuran, lizard and snake communities from the biological reserve known as Mosaico de Unidades de Conservação do Jacupiranga (SP), and it is based on data collected in two localities as well as on records of museum specimens. As a result, a list with 39 anurans, 1 amphisbaenian, 9 lizards and 39 snakes was produced for the Mosaico. The specimens of anurans recorded during the study were used to analyze sampling effectiveness. This analysis indicated a high probability that all species composing the local community were actually registered. The data of anurans collected in pitfall traps were also used to compare the different environments sampled. The tests showed significant differences among secondary environments, modified by human activities, and mature forests. The same tests could not be done with reptiles due to the small samples captured in pitfall traps. The anuran, lizard and snake assemblages of the Mosaico were compared with other localities assemblages based on data from the literature. Analyses show that the herpetological fauna of the Mosaico resembles more closely to communites present in coastal Atlantic Rainforest, particulary to fauna of the remnants of this ecossistem located between Serra do Mar and Vale do Ribeira in the state of São Paulo. Information on natural history, distribution patterns, species composition and conservation status provided in the present work can be used for faunal management and lead to efficient species conservation planning. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/10714-1 - Survey of the herpetofauna in a locality of Atlantic Rainforest: the State Park of Jacupiranga (SP)
• Grantee: Eleonora Aguiar de Domenico
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master