RÉPTEIS EM ECÓTONO CAATINGA/MATA ATLÂNTICA E SUAS PERCEPÇÕES EM COMUNIDADES RURAIS

Abstract

Reptiles are among the most diverse and adapted groups on the globe, with Brazil being one of its main centers of diversity. For the Paraíba, Northeastern, Brazil, studies that discuss reptile diversity are scarce in the literature, especially in ecotone Caatinga/Mata Atlântica, where they are non-existent. Furthermore, some reptiles are persecuted in retaliation for attacks on people and domestic animals or even for religious reasons, causing significant environmental and ecological problems. The present work aims to record the species of reptiles existing in Sertãozinho and Serra da Raiz, ecotone Caatinga/Mata Atlântica, Paraíba, Brazil, and to investigate the perception of them in rural communities in these municipalities. Twenty-five species of reptiles were recorded, with snakes represented by 15 species, lizards obtained eight records, while chelonians and amphisbaenians were represented by one species. All snake and amphisbaenian species (except Epictia borapeliotes and Philodryas aestiva) were perceived as “poisonous”. The lizards presented different perceptions, and include hunting, medicinal species, useful for eating insects or snakes, and poisonous species. The chelonian Mesoclemmys tuberculata is perceived as food, mystical, or a nuisance species for fishermen. The main reasons for persecuting and killing these animals are generally related to different causes, and include retaliation for attacks on people and domestic animals, issues related to religiosity, and hunting use of these animals.