Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 86 (2): 137-151, 2013
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Feeding and reproduction ecology of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus
(Squamata: Tropiduridae) in a rock outcrop area in southeastern Brazil
This work evaluates the diet and the reproductive cycle of Tropidurus
torquatus in relation to seasonality in a rock outcrop formations in a remaining area of Atlantic Rainforest. The data
indicate that the lizards feed mainly on arthropods and plant material. The female reproductive activity varies between
seasons, while males contain spermatozoids throughout the year. The minimum body size at maturity of the individuals was
larger when compared to other population of the same species studied by other authors. The data obtained in the present
study confirm previous observations about the different patterns in diet composition and reproductive cycles of each
population of this species in different latitude and occurrence areas, and provide the first study about this theme for T.
torquatus in rock outcrops in Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais state.
Key words:
diet,
follicular cycle, reproductive ecology, seasonal changes, testicular cycle.
