Herpetofauna of five "Brejos de Altitude" of the interior of the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Brejos de altitude are found at high altitudes, generally over 600 meters above sea level, in mountainous and plateau regions throughout the Brazilian Northeast. These relict altitudinal forests display unique biota evolutionary characteristics, due to, mainly, the geological time they have spent isolated, where they serve as islands for biological specialization, with many registered endemisms. Studies that provide basic data on herpetofauna are important to understand the structure and composition of these communities. In this context, the present study aimed to compile an inventory of the herpetofauna of five brejos de altitude in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, and compare its snake taxocenosis with that of other Caatinga localities in Northeastern Brazil. The areas were inventoried through different time, sampling and methodologies number of people and the use or not of traps. Literature data and scientific collections were used to complement the species list. A total of 88 species were recorded in all five study areas,: 32 amphibians (two orders, 8 families and 15 genera) and 56 reptiles (2 orders, 18 families and 44 genera). Four species of lizards found in the present study are endangered, and one tortoise and snake species are data deficient (DD).