O lagartinho-de-folhiço, Coleodactylus natalensis Freire, 1999, no “maior cajueiro do mundo”, Parnamirim/RN: distribuição espacial e fatores ambientais influenciadores dessa ocorrência

Abstract

Brazil harbors one of the greatest reptile diversities in the world, ranging from large species, such as lizards of the genus Salvator, popularly known as tegus or "Tijuaçu," to diminutive lizards of the genus Coleodactylus. Among the smallest species, the leaf-litter gecko, Coleodactylus natalensis Freire, 1999, stands out due to its diminutive size, its restriction to the Atlantic Forest remnants of Rio Grande do Norte, and its inclusion on both national and international official lists as an endangered species (EN). In this context, this study evaluated the spatial distribution and respective environmental factors influencing the occurrence of C. natalensis under the "World's Largest Cashew Tree", Parnamirim, RN, an area isolated by urbanization and subjected to high tourist pressure. Between November 2023 and June 2024, sampling was conducted in 10 standardized quadrants, distributed under the cashew tree litter, recording the location of individuals, microhabitat characteristics, and environmental variables. With 77 individuals recorded, an average density of 0.0085 individuals/m² was calculated, resulting in an estimated population of approximately 72 individuals under the cashew tree area. The spatial distribution of C. natalensis did not vary significantly between quadrants and months but was influenced by distance from the center of the cashew tree, temperature, and humidity, with adults and neonates predominating in central, shaded areas, while juveniles were found in areas with higher temperatures and lower humidity. The results suggest that the distribution of C. natalensis reflects adaptations to an insular and anthropized environment, emphasizing the urgency of conservation strategies that consider the vulnerability of threatened populations in fragmented habitats subject to human pressure and extinction.