Percepção da herpetofauna, aspectos ecológicos e populacionais de répteis em áreas de caatinga com diferentes níveis de degradação ambiental

Abstract

Humans and reptiles interact for many years, and such interactions are most often marked by conflicting relationships, since humans use these animals in different ways, whether for use in magical-religious rituals, for medicinal purposes, hunting or as pets. Several studies have shown that these conflicting relationships can contribute to the population decline of many species of reptiles. Another factor that tends to lead to the loss of herpetofauna wealth is the process of fragmentation of ecosystems and loss of native vegetation to make way for monoculture plantations and pasture areas for breeding goats and cattle. In this context, this study analyzed the students perception of the richness and importance of reptiles in the hinterland of the state of Paraíba. In addition, ecological and population aspects of reptiles in Caatinga areas with different levels of environmental degradation were evaluated, as well as tested the applicability of different methods of external fixation of transmitters for estimates of area of use in snakes and turtles. Data collections on the perception of herpetofauna were carried out at the state school Dr. Fenelon Nóbrega, in the municipality of Salgadinho-PB, between the months of November and December 2018. The environmental education activities consisted of field classes, photographic exhibition and reptiles, and educational lectures. The post-test was applied in December 2019. For the analysis of wealth, abundance, population estimates and areas of use, two areas of Caatinga with different fragmentation histories were selected and sampled (through pitfall traps) during four campaigns (February, May, September and December) in the year 2018 and from January to March 2019. Different techniques for fixing the transmitters to individuals (glue, tape and acrylic paste) were used. The students demonstrated to have a certain knowledge about the richness of reptiles, mainly regarding the identification of venomous snakes, besides understanding about the ecological and medicinal importance of these animals. Some respondents reported myths and errors in the group's taxonomic classification. The application of the post-test showed some changes in the students' perception of the reptile fauna and aspects of the biology of these animals. There was a clear quantitative difference in species richness, in estimates of population size and temperature between areas. In the most preserved area, the species richness was almost triple in relation to the most degraded area. This difference may be probably related to structural changes in vegetation, resulting from negative anthropic actions. The use of the technique of fixing the transmitters via adhesive tape proved to be more efficient than fixing using glue, since it did not cause irritation in the specimens and was more durable. Despite the low number of individuals monitored, the turtles and snakes showed differences in their areas of use in relation to sex, body size and type of occupied habitat.