SYNTHESIS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ORDER CROCODYLIA, INFLUENCE FACTORS IN POPULATION STUDIES AND ASPECTS OF SELECTION AND HABITAT USE FOR Caiman crocodilus AND Melanosuchus nigerin THE STATE OF TOCANTINS, BRAZIL

• Autor(a) principal: Pereira, André Costa
• Data de Publicação: 2014
• Outros Autores: Malvasio, Adriana
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Biota Amazônia
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.unifap.br/index.php/biota/article/view/681

This study aimed to provide a summary of the crocodilians characteristics (Crocodylia order) focusing on species (Caiman crocodiluse Melanosuchus niger) that occur in the Araguaia National Park’s and Cantão State Park’s vicinity, Tocantins State, Brazil. The aspects that influence the selection and habitat use by the crocodilians were also addressed, besides the influencing environmental factors in the populations. Population surveys were performed in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 among the flood and dry seasons. The animals were counted, the microhabitats were recorded (river bed, bordering vegetation, floating vegetation, beach and hillside) and the air and water temperature were recorded as well as the river level. 2922 animals were counted (1029 C. crocodilus and 450 M. niger). It was observed highest occurrences of individuals in marginal vegetation environments (55.3%), where both species seemed to prefer. For both species, only Class II proved to have preference, and this preference has tended to marginal vegetation environments. This type of environment potentially provides greater availability of food, shelter and refuge to crocodilians, however other factors might influence habitat use. Contrary to other studies, air and water temperatures were not correlated with the number of animals,  however the river level was negatively correlated with the studied crocodilian population. Furthermore, other environmental factors that influence crocodilians are approached for knowledge. Keywords: Araguaia National Park; Cantão State Park; marginal vegetation; river level.