Ecology and Life History of the Viviparous Lizard Mabuya bistriata (Scincidae) in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

The viviparous lizard Mabuya bistriata was studied in two lowland tropical forest sites in Amazonian Brazil with additional data taken on museum specimens. These diurnal lizards are active primarily during midto late morning on fallen logs or low on tree trunks. They are heliothermic averaging 32.9 ? 0.98 C in body temperatures. Prey include orthopterans, spiders, eruciform larvae, termites, and other invertebrates. Prey differences between the two sites most likely reflect differences in prey availability associated with tropical seasonality in rainfall.