Feeding habits of Enyalius perditus (Squamata: Leiosauridae) in an Atlantic Forest remnant in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Feeding habits of Enyalius perditus (Squamata: Leiosauridae) in an Atlantic Forest remnant in southeastern Brazil. In the present study, we aimed to provide information regarding feeding habits and other ecological aspects of Enyalius perditus in an Atlantic Forest remnant in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Enyalius perditus individuals in Rio de Janeiro fed predominantly upon arthropods such as caterpillars, isopods, and spiders, as is typical of lizards in the genus. There were no pronounced variations in the main types of prey consumed between this and other populations of E. perditus studied in spite of potential differences in local food supplies between environments. The individuals consumed fragments of dead leaves, ingested prey commonly found in leaf litter (e.g., Isopoda and Coleoptera larvae), and were sometimes