Herpetofauna of the Environmental Protection Area Delta do Parnaíba, Northeastern Brazil

Recent studies on Brazilian coastal zones and restinga environments revealed a high richness of amphibian and reptile species. However, there is still a lack of information about herpetofauna diversity in coastal zones of Northeastern Brazil. This study provides a checklist of amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) Delta do Parnaíba, Northeastern Brazil, suggesting conservation actions. To elaborate the checklist, we searched in seven electronic databases and check the following scientific collections: Zoological collection of Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI) and Herpetological collection of Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA). In addition, we sampled 16 areas along the EPA Delta do Parnaíba close to the river branches and temporary ponds that compose the Parnaíba River Delta (December 2015 to April 2017) to fill gaps of information about herpetofauna in some regions from the EPA. We recorded 86 species (34 amphibians and 52 reptiles), including four anurans, one crocodilian, 14 snakes, 12 lizards and two amphisbaenians reported for the first time for the EPA Delta do Parnaíba. In addition, we added the first record of the snake Oxybelis fulgidus in Piauí state. The EPA Delta do Parnaíba shows high herpetofaunal richness; thus, we suggest that conservation actions should be taken to preserve the restingas environments in the Parnaíba River Delta and its high diversity of amphibians and reptiles.
[2020]

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