A summary of reptile and anuran amphibian species from Brazilian sandy coastal plains: 31 years of sampling efforts of the "Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro" / Um resumo das espécies de répteis e anfíbios anuros das planícies costeiras arenosas brasileiras: 31 anos de esforços de amostragem do "Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro"

Abstract Although currently there is already a set of studies regarding ecological aspects of some particular reptile and amphibian species living in Brazilian sandy coastal plains (including the so-called "restinga" and "campo nativo" habitats), there is comparatively few information on the species composition usually associated to these environments. During 31 years (1988-2019) of herpetological studies carried out in sandy coastal plains environments by our research team of the Laboratory of Vertebrate Ecology (Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro Brazil) we have surveyed reptile and amphibian communities and performed different studies with similar methods in 70 sites from 10 different states along the Brazilian coast. Our surveys resulted in records of 87 species of reptile (five turtles, two crocodylians, six amphisbaenians, 36 lizards and 39 snakes) from 24 families, and 77 species of anuran amphibians from nine families. We have studied multiple natural history topics for anurans and reptiles which resulted in the publication of some specific ecological studies, especially regarding some species, encompassing population and community ecology, foraging and feeding habits, species activity, thermoregulation, reproduction, use of microhabitats, and parasitism by ecto and endoparasites. Our results along these three decades have also contributed for the description of four new lizard species (Ameivula nativo, Glaucomastix littoralis, G. abaetensis and G. itabaianensis). Our studies constitute an important contribution to the knowledge of the ecology of anuran amphibians and reptiles in these ecosystems, as well as to the conservation of sandy coastal plains environment. The checklist presented in this study, based on our records of sandy coastal plains herpetofauna, provides for many localities along the Brazilian coast, the needed knowledge on species occurrence, including the presence of endemic and/or endangered species, which can be of value for many conservation actions.

Resumo Embora atualmente exista um conjunto de estudos sobre aspectos ecológicos de algumas espécies de répteis e de anfíbios que ocorrem nas planícies costeiras arenosas brasileiras (incluindo os chamados habitats de "restinga" e de "campo nativo"), há relativamente poucas informações sobre a composição de espécies geralmente associada a esses ambientes. Durante 31 anos (1988-2019) de estudos herpetológicos realizados em restingas por nossa equipe de pesquisa do Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados (Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) nós estudamos comunidades de répteis e de anfíbios e realizamos diferentes estudos com métodos semelhantes em 70 localidades de dez diferentes Estados ao longo da costa brasileira. Nossas pesquisas resultaram em registros de 87 espécies de répteis (cinco tartarugas, dois crocodilianos, seis anfisbênios, 36 lagartos e 39 serpentes) de 24 famílias, e 77 espécies de anfíbios anuros de nove famílias. Estudamos vários tópicos de história natural sobre anuros e répteis, que resultaram na publicação de alguns estudos ecológicos específicos, especialmente em relação a algumas espécies, abrangendo ecologia populacional e de comunidades, forrageamento e dieta, horário de atividade de espécies, termorregulação, reprodução, uso do microhabitat e parasitismo por ecto e endoparasitas. Nossos resultados ao longo dessas três décadas também contribuíram para a descrição de quatro novas espécies de lagartos (Ameivula nativo, Glaucomastix littoralis, G. abaetensis e G. itabaianensis). Nossos estudos constituem uma importante contribuição para o conhecimento da ecologia de répteis e de anfíbios anuros nesses ecossistemas, bem como para a conservação dos ecossistemas de restinga. A lista de espécies apresentada neste estudo, com base em nossos registros de herpetofauna das planícies costeiras arenosas, fornece para muitas localidades ao longo da costa brasileira o conhecimento necessário sobre a ocorrência de espécies, incluindo a presença de espécies endêmicas e/ ou ameaçadas de extinção, que podem ser úteis para muitas ações de conservação.

A summary of reptile and anuran amphibian species from Brazilian sandy coastal plains: 31 years of sampling efforts of the "Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro".

Although currently there is already a set of studies regarding ecological aspects of some particular reptile and amphibian species living in Brazilian sandy coastal plains (including the so-called "restinga" and "campo nativo" habitats), there is comparatively few information on the species composition usually associated to these environments. During 31 years (1988-2019) of herpetological studies carried out in sandy coastal plains environments by our research team of the Laboratory of Vertebrate Ecology (Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro Brazil) we have surveyed reptile and amphibian communities and performed different studies with similar methods in 70 sites from 10 different states along the Brazilian coast. Our surveys resulted in records of 87 species of reptile (five turtles, two crocodylians, six amphisbaenians, 36 lizards and 39 snakes) from 24 families, and 77 species of anuran amphibians from nine families. We have studied multiple natural history topics for anurans and reptiles which resulted in the publication of some specific ecological studies, especially regarding some species, encompassing population and community ecology, foraging and feeding habits, species activity, thermoregulation, reproduction, use of microhabitats, and parasitism by ecto and endoparasites. Our results along these three decades have also contributed for the description of four new lizard species (Ameivula nativo, Glaucomastix littoralis, G. abaetensis and G. itabaianensis). Our studies constitute an important contribution to the knowledge of the ecology of anuran amphibians and reptiles in these ecosystems, as well as to the conservation of sandy coastal plains environment. The checklist presented in this study, based on our records of sandy coastal plains herpetofauna, provides for many localities along the Brazilian coast, the needed knowledge on species occurrence, including the presence of endemic and/or endangered species, which can be of value for many conservation actions.

Eco-morphological attributes and feeding habits in coexisting characins.

The head morphology and feeding habits of pairs of characin species (family Characidae) that coexist in four different coastal rainforest streams were analysed. Coexisting species differed in size, but were very similar in eco-morphological attributes. Gut analyses revealed differences in feeding preferences for each coexisting species, indicating resource partitioning. A pattern of organization in species pairs that was repeated in the four studied streams was noticed. The pattern consisted of one slightly larger species with a feeding preference for items of allochthonous origin and another smaller species with a preference for autochthonous items. The hypothesis that small morphological differences enable the current coexistence of those species pairs was proposed. Furthermore, the results show ecological equivalence among different species in the studied streams.

A summary of reptile and anuran amphibian species from Brazilian sandy coastal plains: 31 years of sampling efforts of the Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract Although currently there is already a set of studies regarding ecological aspects of some particular reptile and amphibian species living in Brazilian sandy coastal plains (including the so-called restinga and campo nativo habitats), there is comparatively few information on the species composition usually associated to these environments. During 31 years (1988-2019) of herpetological studies carried out in sandy coastal plains environments by our research team of the Laboratory of Vertebrate Ecology (Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro Brazil) we have surveyed reptile and amphibian communities and performed different studies with similar methods in 70 sites from 10 different states along the Brazilian coast. Our surveys resulted in records of 87 species of reptile (five turtles, two crocodylians, six amphisbaenians, 36 lizards and 39 snakes) from 24 families, and 77 species of anuran amphibians from nine families. We have studied multiple natural history topics for anurans and reptiles which resulted in the publication of some specific ecological studies, especially regarding some species, encompassing population and community ecology, foraging and feeding habits, species activity, thermoregulation, reproduction, use of microhabitats, and parasitism by ecto and endoparasites. Our results along these three decades have also contributed for the description of four new lizard species (Ameivula nativo, Glaucomastix littoralis, G. abaetensis and G. itabaianensis). Our studies constitute an important contribution to the knowledge of the ecology of anuran amphibians and reptiles in these ecosystems, as well as to the conservation of sandy coastal plains environment. The checklist presented in this study, based on our records of sandy coastal plains herpetofauna, provides for many localities along the Brazilian coast, the needed knowledge on species occurrence, including the presence of endemic and/or endangered species, which can be of value for many conservation actions.

Resumo Embora atualmente exista um conjunto de estudos sobre aspectos ecológicos de algumas espécies de répteis e de anfíbios que ocorrem nas planícies costeiras arenosas brasileiras (incluindo os chamados habitats de restinga e de campo nativo), há relativamente poucas informações sobre a composição de espécies geralmente associada a esses ambientes. Durante 31 anos (1988-2019) de estudos herpetológicos realizados em restingas por nossa equipe de pesquisa do Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados (Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) nós estudamos comunidades de répteis e de anfíbios e realizamos diferentes estudos com métodos semelhantes em 70 localidades de dez diferentes Estados ao longo da costa brasileira. Nossas pesquisas resultaram em registros de 87 espécies de répteis (cinco tartarugas, dois crocodilianos, seis anfisbênios, 36 lagartos e 39 serpentes) de 24 famílias, e 77 espécies de anfíbios anuros de nove famílias. Estudamos vários tópicos de história natural sobre anuros e répteis, que resultaram na publicação de alguns estudos ecológicos específicos, especialmente em relação a algumas espécies, abrangendo ecologia populacional e de comunidades, forrageamento e dieta, horário de atividade de espécies, termorregulação, reprodução, uso do microhabitat e parasitismo por ecto e endoparasitas. Nossos resultados ao longo dessas três décadas também contribuíram para a descrição de quatro novas espécies de lagartos (Ameivula nativo, Glaucomastix littoralis, G. abaetensis e G. itabaianensis). Nossos estudos constituem uma importante contribuição para o conhecimento da ecologia de répteis e de anfíbios anuros nesses ecossistemas, bem como para a conservação dos ecossistemas de restinga. A lista de espécies apresentada neste estudo, com base em nossos registros de herpetofauna das planícies costeiras arenosas, fornece para muitas localidades ao longo da costa brasileira o conhecimento necessário sobre a ocorrência de espécies, incluindo a presença de espécies endêmicas e/ ou ameaçadas de extinção, que podem ser úteis para muitas ações de conservação.

About rats and jackfruit trees: modeling the carrying capacity of a Brazilian Atlantic Forest spiny-rat Trinomys dimidiatus (Günther, 1877) - Rodentia, Echimyidae - population with varying jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) abundances.

We carried out a six-year study aimed at evaluating if and how a Brazilian Atlantic Forest small mammal community responded to the presence of the invasive exotic species Artocarpus heterophyllus, the jackfruit tree. In the surroundings of Vila Dois Rios, Ilha Grande, RJ, 18 grids were established, 10 where the jackfruit tree was present and eight were it was absent. Previous results indicated that the composition and abundance of this small mammal community were altered by the presence and density of A. heterophyllus. One observed effect was the increased population size of the spiny-rat Trinomys dimidiatus within the grids where the jackfruit trees were present. Therefore we decided to create a mathematical model for this species, based on the Verhulst-Pearl logistic equation. Our objectives were i) to calculate the carrying capacity K based on real data of the involved species and the environment; ii) propose and evaluate a mathematical model to estimate the population size of T. dimidiatus based on the monthly seed production of jackfruit tree, Artocarpus heterophyllus and iii) determinate the minimum jackfruit tree seed production to maintain at least two T. dimidiatus individuals in one study grid. Our results indicated that the predicted values by the model for the carrying capacity K were significantly correlated with real data. The best fit was found considering 20~35% energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels. Within the scope of assumed premises, our model showed itself to be an adequate simulator for Trinomys dimidiatus populations where the invasive jackfruit tree is present.

Species composition, richness and nestedness of lizard assemblages from Restinga habitats along the brazilian coast.

Habitat fragmentation is well known to adversely affect species living in the remaining, relatively isolated, habitat patches, especially for those having small range size and low density. This negative effect has been critical in coastal resting habitats. We analysed the lizard composition and richness of restinga habitats in 16 restinga habitats encompassing three Brazilian states (Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Bahia) and more than 1500km of the Brazilian coast in order to evaluate if the loss of lizard species following habitat reduction occur in a nested pattern or at random, using the "Nestedness Temperature Calculator" to analyse the distribution pattern of lizard species among the restingas studied. We also estimated the potential capacity that each restinga has to maintain lizard species. Eleven lizard species were recorded in the restingas, although not all species occurred in all areas. The restinga with the richest lizard fauna was Guriri (eight species) whereas the restinga with the lowest richness was Praia do Sul (located at Ilha Grande, a large coastal island). Among the restingas analysed, Jurubatiba, Guriri, Maricá and Praia das Neves, were the most hospitable for lizards. The matrix community temperature of the lizard assemblages was 20.49° (= P <0.00001; 5000 randomisations; randomisation temperature = 51.45° ± 7.18° SD), indicating that lizard assemblages in the coastal restingas exhibited a considerable nested structure. The degree in which an area is hospitable for different assemblages could be used to suggest those with greater value of conservation. We concluded that lizard assemblages in coastal restingas occur at a considerable level of ordination in restinga habitats and that some restinga areas such as Jurubatiba, Guriri, Maricá and Praia das Neves are quite important to preserve lizard diversity of restinga environments.

Modelling the population control of the domestic cat: an example from an island in Brazil.

The domestic cat is an invasive species that often causes great impacts where introduced due to its high predatory and reproductive potential, especially on islands. In this study, carried out on Ilha Grande (RJ, Brazil), we aimed to: i) estimate the population density of domestic cats, ii) calculate the number of animals preyed upon annually by domestic cats, and iii) evaluate the efficiency of methods to control the cat population. We used the Vortex program to project the population growth of domestic cats in fifty years, and simulated different scenarios of population control (without control, castration, spay and harvest). Population density of owned cats was 662 cats/km². The annual predation rate was 1.97 prey animals/cat which is an average of 1497.96 prey/year. The population would only be reduced if 70% of females were spayed or removed annually. Measures to control the domestic cat population must be undertaken urgently, since uncontrolled growth of this predator has the potential to seriously impact the biodiversity of Ilha Grande.

Morphometric variations of laelapine mite (Acari: Mesostigmata) populations infesting small mammals (Mammalia) in Brazil.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the morphometric variation of laelapine populations (Acari, Mesostigmata) associated with neotropical oryzomyine rodents at different geographic localities in Brazil. Three nominal mite species were selected for study, all infesting the pelage of small mammals at different localities in Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Bahia, and the Federal District, Brazil. To analyse morphometric characteristics, thirty-seven morphological characters distributed across the whole body of each specimen were measured. We use the Analysis of Principal Components, extracting the three first axes and projecting each mite in these axes. Major species level changes in the taxonomy of the host mammals allows an independent examination of morphometric variation of mites infesting a set of distinctly different host species at different geographic localities. Gigantolaelaps vitzthumi and Laelaps differens are associated with oryzomyine rodents of the genus Cerradomys, and consistently showed a tendency to cluster by host phylogeny. Laelaps manguinhosi associated with Nectomys rattus in central Brazil is morphometrically distinct from mites infesting N. squamipes in the coastal restingas of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. The results obtained here indicate that laelapine mite populations can vary among geographic areas and among phylogenetically related host species. Clearly, the study of these mites at the population level can be an important tool for clarifying the taxonomy of both mites and hosts.

Occurrence and distribution of the exotic lizard Hemidactylus mabouia Moreau de Jonnès, 1818 in Ilha Grande, RJ, Brazil.

The gekkonid lizard Hemidactylus mabouia is an exotic species in Brazil and is found in different ecosystems. This species was recorded at Ilha Grande, RJ, one of the largest insular remains of the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil. In this study, the occurrence of H. mabouia was determined throughout the island, including the rain forest, restinga and anthropic environments. We used the active search method in points along 19 trails that surround Ilha Grande. At each regular interval of 100 m, we searched for the presence of H. mabouia. The species was recorded in a total of 100 points among the 719 sampled and, in all cases, the occurrence of the lizard corresponded to points located in anthropic or perianthropic areas. As most of Ilha Grande is covered by dense tropical rain forest, we believe this has restricted the invasion of H. mabouia in natural environments within the island.

Foraging activity of the free-tailed bat Molossus molossus (Chiroptera; Molossidae) in southeastern Brazil.

Sunset and sunrise regulate the activities of most studied bat species. To verify patterns of foraging activity, 29 bat sampling nights were carried out over a dam in Rio de Janeiro city, which resulted in 363 hours with 730 captures, representing 13 species of insectivorous bats. Molossus molossus constituted the bulk of the captures (79.9%) and was present in 82.8% of the sampling nights. This bat species exhibited crepuscular and nocturnal activity (from -6 minutes to 900 minutes after the time of sunset). A bimodal activity pattern was observed, and two non-overlapping capture peaks. The first peak lasted from 6 minutes before sunset to 420 minutes after sunset. The second peak began at 564 minutes after sunset and ended just after sunrise. The first capture peak was observed in 75.9% of the nights, and the second peak in 62.1% of the nights. The time of the first capture exhibited a positive linear relationship with sunset and the time of the last capture, a positive linear relationship with sunrise. The existence of a relationship between night length and the difference between first and last captures of each night shows that M. molossus has longer activity the longer the night, showing a seasonal variation in the activity period.

Biology of Vampyressa pusilla (Wagner) in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae).

Vampyressa pusilla is widespread in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. It occurs in forested areas, and is absent from urban and open habitats. This species occurs mainly in altitudes up to 1,300 m a.s.l. Vampyressa pusilla was captured during the whole night, from 18 minutes before sunset to 759 minutes after sunset. Captures peaked in the first two hours of the night. Reproductive activity was seasonal, pregnant females were observed in January, February, April, August, October, November and December and lactating females from November to January and in March.

Do bigger bats need more time to forage? / Maiores morcegos precisam de mais tempo de forrageamento?

We test the hypothesis is that bats using the same area and at the same time would be using similar preys, but they would have different foraging times due to specific differences in biomass. A total of 730 captures was analyzed 13 species of Vespertilionidae and Molossidae bats netted over a small dam in southeastern Brazil from 1993 and 1999. The relationship between the average time of captures and the biomass of the species of Vespertilinidae and Molossidae most frequent (captures > 4) was positive and significant (r = 0.83, p = 0.022, N = 7). Two lines are discussed to answer the longer foraging time for bigger bats: 1) larger insectivorous bats don't consume proportionally larger preys and 2) larger insects are less available.

Testamos a hipótese de que morcegos insetívoros usando a mesma área podem estar usando as mesmas presas, mas têm diferentes tempos de forrageamento devido às diferenças de biomassa. De um total de 730 capturas, foram analisadas 13 espécies de Vespertilionidae e Molossidae capturadas em redes armadas sobre um pequeno açude no Sudeste do Brasil entre 1993 e 1999. A relação entre a média do horário de captura e a biomassa das espécies de Vespertilionidae e Molossidae mais freqüentes (capturas > 4) foi positiva e significante (r = 0,83, p = 0,022, N = 7). Duas linhas são discutidas para responder ao maior tempo de forrageamento pelos maiores morcegos: (1) morcegos insetívoros maiores não consomem presas proporcionalmente maiores; e (2) maiores insetos são menos disponíveis.

Do bigger bats need more time to forage?

We test the hypothesis is that bats using the same area and at the same time would be using similar preys, but they would have different foraging times due to specific differences in biomass. A total of 730 captures was analyzed 13 species of Vespertilionidae and Molossidae bats netted over a small dam in southeastern Brazil from 1993 and 1999. The relationship between the average time of captures and the biomass of the species of Vespertilinidae and Molossidae most frequent (captures > 4) was positive and significant (r = 0.83, p = 0.022, N = 7). Two lines are discussed to answer the longer foraging time for bigger bats: 1) larger insectivorous bats don't consume proportionally larger preys and 2) larger insects are less available.

Blood parasites, total plasma protein and packed cell volume of small wild mammals trapped in three mountain ranges of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil.

A study of blood parasites in small wild non-flying mammals was undertaken in three areas of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil: Serra de Itatiaia, RJ, Serra da Bocaina, SP and Serra da Fartura, SP, from June 1999 to May 2001. A total of 450 animals (15 species) were captured in traps and it was observed in 15.5% of the blood smears the presence of Haemobartonella sp. and Babesia sp. in red blood cells. There was no statistically significant difference between parasited and non-parasited specimens regarding total plasma protein, packed cell volume and body weight, which strongly suggests that these specimens might be parasite reservoirs.

The remnants of restinga habitats in the brazilian Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil: habitat loss and risk of disappearance.

"Restingas" (herbaceous/shrubby coastal sand-dune habitats) used to cover most of Rio de Janeiro State coast, and have suffered extensive degradation over the last five centuries. Using satellite images and field work, we identified the remaining restingas in the State, recording the factors that might cause their degradation. We used two mosaics of Landsat 7 scenes (spatial resolution 15 and 30 m) to map and evaluate preliminarly the remaining areas and conservation status. Each remnant area was checked in the field, degraded areas within it were mapped and subtracted from the remnants. We identified 21 restinga remnants totalling 105,285 ha. The largest and smallest restinga remnants were Jurubatiba (25,141 ha) and Itaipu (23 ha), respectively. We identified 14 causes of degradation. The most important were vegetation removal for housing developments, establishment of exotic plant species, change of original substrate, and selective removal of species of economic importance for the horticultural industry. All restingas had disturbed parts under strong pressure due to human activities. Due to intense habitat loss, and occurrence of endemic/threatened vertebrate species in restinga habitats, we strongly indicate the implementation of new conservation units to protect these fragile remnants. This habitat is steadily decreasing and most remnants lack legal protection. Therefore, under the current human pressure most of this unique habitat is likely to be lost from the State within the next few years.

Blood parasites, total plasma protein and packed cell volume of small wild mammals trapped in three mountain ranges of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

A study of blood parasites in small wild non-flying mammals was undertaken in three areas of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil: Serra de Itatiaia, RJ, Serra da Bocaina, SP and Serra da Fartura, SP, from June 1999 to May 2001. A total of 450 animals (15 species) were captured in traps and it was observed in 15.5 percent of the blood smears the presence of Haemobartonella sp. and Babesia sp. in red blood cells. There was no statistically significant difference between parasited and non-parasited specimens regarding total plasma protein, packed cell volume and body weight, which strongly suggests that these specimens might be parasite reservoirs.

A presença de hemoparasitos em pequenos mamíferos silvestres não voadores foi pesquisada em animais de três áreas serranas do Sudeste brasileiro, pertencentes ao complexo da Serra do Mar e da Serra da Mantiqueira, nos Estados de São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro e Minas Gerais. Foram capturados 420 animais de 15 espécies, durante dois anos, dos quais, 15,5 por cento apresentaram Haemobartonella sp. e Babesia sp., observadas em lâmina de esfregaço sangüíneo no interior de suas hemácias. Os níveis de proteína total plasmática e de volume globular não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os indivíduos parasitados e não parasitados, assim como o peso corporal, o que sugere fortemente que esses animais possam ser reservatórios desses parasitos.

The remnants of restinga habitats in the brazilian Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil: habitat loss and risk of disappearance

"Restingas" (herbaceous/shrubby coastal sand-dune habitats) used to cover most of Rio de Janeiro State coast, and have suffered extensive degradation over the last five centuries. Using satellite images and field work, we identified the remaining restingas in the State, recording the factors that might cause their degradation. We used two mosaics of Landsat 7 scenes (spatial resolution 15 and 30 m) to map and evaluate preliminarly the remaining areas and conservation status. Each remnant area was checked in the field, degraded areas within it were mapped and subtracted from the remnants. We identified 21 restinga remnants totalling 105,285 ha. The largest and smallest restinga remnants were Jurubatiba (25,141 ha) and Itaipu (23 ha), respectively. We identified 14 causes of degradation. The most important were vegetation removal for housing developments, establishment of exotic plant species, change of original substrate, and selective removal of species of economic importance for the horticultural industry. All restingas had disturbed parts under strong pressure due to human activities. Due to intense habitat loss, and occurrence of endemic/threatened vertebrate species in restinga habitats, we strongly indicate the implementation of new conservation units to protect these fragile remnants. This habitat is steadily decreasing and most remnants lack legal protection. Therefore, under the current human pressure most of this unique habitat is likely to be lost from the State within the next few years.

As restingas, que são hábitats de dunas e planícies arenosas cobertas por vegetação herbáceo-arbustiva e que ocorrem na costa do Brasil, no passado cobriam uma grande extensão da costa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, mas têm sofrido uma extensiva degradação ao longo dos últimos cinco séculos. Utilizando imagens de satélite e mensurações no campo, identificamos os remanescentes de restinga no estado, registrando os fatores que causam sua degradação. Nós utilizamos dois mosaicos de cenas Landsat 7 ( resolução espacial de 15m e 30m) para localização e avaliação preliminar do estado de conservação dos remanescentes. Cada remanescente de restinga foi analisado no campo, sendo as áreas degradadas no interior da restinga mapeadas mais detalhadamente e subtraídas da área total do remanescente. Identificamos 21 áreas remanescentes de restinga, totalizando 105,285ha. O maior e menor remanescente de restinga foram Jurubatiba (25,141ha) e Itaipu (23ha), respectivamente. Identificamos 14 fontes de degradação, sendo as mais importantes delas: a remoção da vegetação para desenvolvimento imobiliário, o estabelecimento de espécies vegetais exóticas, a alteração do substrato original e a coleta seletiva de espécies vegetais de interesse paisagístico. Todas as áreas de restinga apresentaram porções com áreas degradadas devido à intensa pressão antrópica. Devido à intensa perda de hábitat e ocorrência de espécies endêmicas e/ou ameaçadas de extinção de vertebrados nas restingas, nós fortemente sugerimos a implementação de novas unidades de conservação para proteger estes frágeis remanescentes. Este tipo de hábitat está continuamente decrescendo e a maior parte dos remanescentes carece de proteção legal. Considerando a atual pressão humana sobre estes ambientes, grande parte deste hábitat é provável ser perdido se não forem tomadas medidas para sua proteção.

Habitat use by Oryzomys subflavus (Rodentia) in an open shrubland formation in Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park, RJ, Brazil

A Restinga de Jurubatiba possui pelo menos 10 formações vegetais, entre elas a Arbustiva Aberta de Clusia. Esta formação é constituída por moitas densas de várias formas e tamanhos, sendo a espécie Clusia hilariana uma das mais importantes. Moitas com Clusia (CC) têm menor riqueza vegetal e são menos densas que moitas sem Clusia (SC). Oryzomys subflavus (Rodentia) é a espécie mais abundante de pequeno mamífero na Arbustiva Aberta de Clusia. Nós testamos a hipótese que a abundância do roedor aumentaria com o tamanho da área da moita e seria maior em moitas SC. Os roedores foram capturados, marcados e soltos em três transectos de 780 metros de extensão. Em cada ponto de armadilhamento, nós avaliamos a forma da moita, calculamos sua área e anotamos se era uma moita CC ou SC. Nós testamos por ANCOVA, se a abundância de O. subflavus aumentava com a área amostrada e se diferenciava em moitas CC ou SC. Nós também testamos se o tamanho das moitas usadas pelos roedores variavam na mesma freqüência que o tamanho de moitas disponíveis. A abundância do roedor aumentou com o aumento da área, mas as retas de regressão das moitas CC e SC não diferiram nem na inclinação e nem na elevação. O padrão na abundância de O. subflavus em diferentes classes de tamanho de moitas não diferiu do número disponível de moitas observadas por classes. Esses resultados indicam que O. subflavus é uma espécie generalista na área estudada, usando o hábitat de acordo com o que está disponível.

Endemic and threatened tetrapods in the restingas of the biodiversity corridors of Serra do Mar and of the Central da Mata Atlântica in eastern Brazil.

Biodiversity corridors comprise a mosaic of land uses connecting fragments of natural forest across a landscape. Two such corridors have been established along the eastern coast of Brazil: the Serra do Mar and the Central da Mata Atlântica corridors, along which most of the coastal plains are restinga areas. In this study, we analyze the present status of the endemic and endangered terrestrial vertebrates of both corridors. We sampled 10 restingas in both corridors, recording species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Some restingas harbor a relatively large number of endemic species,and two main regions of endemism can be identified along the restingas of both corridors: the coastal restingas from northern Espirito Santo State to southern Bahia State (between Linhares, ES, and Tarancoso, BA), and the coastal region between the restingas of Maricá and Jurubatiba, Rio de Janeiro State. Six species of terrestrial vertebrates considered threatened with extinction are found in the restingas of Serra do Mar and Central da Mata Atlântica biodiversity corridors (Liolaemus lutzae, Formicivora littoralis, Mimus gilvus, Schistochlamys melanopis, and Trinomys eliasi). The region located between the restinga of Maricá and that of Jurubatiba is of special relevance for the conservation of vertebrate species of the restingas of the corridors because a considerable number of threatened species of terrestrial vertebrates are found there. We strongly recommend efforts to develop checklists of threatened faunas for the States of Espirito Santo and Bahia.