Influence of Seasonality and Habitat Variability on the Thermal Ecology of Gymnodactylus geckoides Spix, 1825 (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) in Semi-Arid Caatinga Biome in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Temperature trends influence the behaviour of animals, mainly ectotherms, with thermoregulation led by a contingent of biotic and abiotic factors, such as seasonality and habitat quality, especially regarding nocturnal lizards. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to analyse the microhabitat use and thermal ecology of Gymnodactylus geckoides in Catimbau National Park, in Pernambuco state, Brazil, considering different landscape conditions (anthropic and conserved), as well as environmental factors (body, air and substrate temperature, humidity and light intensity). We recorded bromeliads, leaf litter, as well as rocky outcrops, fallen trunks and rocks, with the use of microhabitats differing due to the environmental conditions. G. geckoides was mostly active at night, with substrate and air temperatures revealing a high correlation with body temperature. Regarding environmental factors, only light intensity revealed significant variations. The distribution model allowed us to observe G. geckoides inhabiting lower elevations, influenced by microhabitat availability. Our research represents the first effort to create a distribution model for lizards in Caatinga domain, using G. geckoides as an illustrative model to demonstrate the plasticity of species in response to environmental changes, also indicating a high dependency on habitat quality for thermoregulation. This domain provides G. geckoides with a thermally optimal and stable microclimate, maintaining its optimal body temperature requiring low thermoregulatory effort. Our results corroborate with previous studies and predictions and expand prior work regarding the thermal ecology of nocturnal neotropical lizards.