Perennial Communal Nesting by Kentropyx calcaratus
1984; The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles; Volume: 18; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2307/1563673
ISSN1937-2418
AutoresWilliam E. Magnusson, Albertina P. Lima,
Tópico(s)Plant and animal studies
ResumoCommunal nesting is common among lizards (Greer, 1967; Rand, 1967; Kushlan, 1981; Wells, 1981) and snakes (Cook, 1964; Lynch, 1966; Foley, 1971; Covacevich and Limpus, 1972; Swain and Smith, 1978). The only published reference to communal nesting by teiid lizards of which we are aware is that of Uzzell (1966) for Neusticurus ecpleopus. Here we report perennial communal nesting by the teiid lizard Kentropyx calcaratus in the region of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The K. calcaratus complex in Amaz6nia consists of a number of forms differentiated principally on color pattern. The names of forms of Kentropyx used in this paper follow the scheme of Gallagher and Dixon (1980) which is based on detailed studies by Gallagher (1979). Species in the complex are forest heliotherms, usually associated with streams (Vanzolini, 1972; Hoogmoed, 1973). The form K. calcarata is normally found only in natural areas within the forest, though it does use roadsides or artificial clearings if the disturbance is not too extensive and dense cover remains. In the Manaus area, the form K. altamazonica occurs only around major rivers (Rio Amazonas, Rio Negro) (unpubl. data). We discovered a nest containing 800 eggs in a stump protruding above the water of a small stream, 500 m downstream of the highway BR 174, km 25 on 13 May 1981. The stream bed had been covered by sand washed down from the road and most of the larger trees had been killed, leaving only isolated stumps surrounded by sand or sedges. The modified area around the stream was 20-30 m in width, and bordered by dense, natural streamside vegetation. The stump with the nest was 70 cm high and 59 cm circumference. Forty six cm protruded above the stream which was 187 cm wide and 2-24 cm
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