de da de DANTE B. FENOLio2 NELSON JORGE DA

de
de
da
Volóme 49{15):183-189,2009
A
de
www.mz.usp.br/piibllcacoes
www.re-nstasusp.slbiusp.br
www.scielo.br/paz
ISSN ímpresso: 0031-1049
ISSN on-line: 1807-0205
OF
OF
IN
VALLEY
LORENA A. MOREIRA1
DANTE B. FENOLio2
LUCIO
SltVA3
NELSON JORGE DA SILVA Jit
ABSTRACT
Termite mounds are known to offer refuge and microbabitats to a great variety of invertebrates
ctnd vertébrate!. In tbe valley of the upper Tocantins River, within áreas of influence of
hydroelectric power plañís 4,000 termite mounds were surveyed to evalúate the diversity of
ampbibians and reptiles using tbese envimnments. Surveys in termite mounds from two other
áreas (Corumbd River and Araguato- River basins) were usedfor comparative parpases. The
resultsfor termitaria in tbe upper Tocantins river valley revealed ninefamilies, 13 genera, and
25 sfecies of ampbibians, and 16 families, 32 genera, and 47 ¡pedes of squamate reptiles.
Compared to a general herpetofaunal list ofthe región, the data indícate that between 30.6%
and 56.8% ofthe ¡pedes use termitaria.
KBYWOKDS: Amptubíans; Reptiles; Termite Mounds; Cerrado.
INTRODUCTION
Termite mounds, or termitaría, are a distinctive
component to the landscape of a variety of habitáis
worldwide, particularly xeric biomes and provide
refuge for smaller animáis vía physical cover and in
maintainirig more coostant ínternal humiditíes and
temperatures than the surrounding environment
(Pomeroy & Service, 1986). In African woodland
habitáis, termite mounds add to the heterogeneity
and complexity of the environment, increasing both
biodiversity and environmental carrying ca.pa.city
(Flernmlng & Loveridge, 2003).
Worldwlde, herpetofaunahavebeenlinked totermíte mounds through a number of non-mutually exclusive associatíons: (1) by living permanent or temporarily in termitaria, (2) by breeding within or on them,
or (3) by frequenting the mounds to feed on termif.es
and odier invertebrates living there (e.g., Magnusson
et al., 1985;Murray&Schramm, 1987; Yhmaxietai,
1, Systema Naturae Consultoria Ambiental Ltda. Rúa 58, n° 217, Jardim Goiás. 74810-250, Goiánia, GO, Brasil,
2,Atlanta Bofanical Carden. Center for ConserYation. 1345 Piedmont Ave, Adanta, Georgia, 30309. USA.
3. Unrs-ersidade Católica de Goiás, Departamento de Biología, Avenida Universitario, 1.440, Setor Universitario, 74605-010, Goiánia,
GO, Brasil
4. Mestrado ern Ciencias Ambientáis e Saúde. Universidade Católica de Goiás. Rúa 232, n° 128, 3° andar, AreaV, Setor Universitario.
74605-140, Goiánia, GO, Brasil.
5- Corresponding audior; E-mail: [email protected],br; njsj@ticg.í?r