Inventário de Herpetofauna nos Parques Municipais de Trindade

Abstract

Introduction: Animals belonging to the herpetofauna group, represented by reptiles and amphibians, are among the most feared components of Brazilian wildlife and are often persecuted due to misinformation. Reptiles play a fundamental role in ecological balance by controlling populations of various vertebrate and invertebrate species. Amphibians contribute to environmental stability through the control of insect populations that may transmit diseases or damage agricultural crops, as well as by maintaining aquatic ecosystems. Objective: To inventory the herpetofauna present in the municipal parks of Trindade, Goiás, Brazil. Methodology: The study was conducted in the Lara Guimarães and Maria Pires Perillo Municipal Parks between May 10 and August 15, 2021. Sampling was carried out using pitfall traps and active searches. The pitfall traps consisted of plastic buckets buried with their rims level with the ground surface and connected by plastic sheeting fixed with stakes, directing animals into the traps. Active searches were performed during late afternoon and early evening throughout the parks, with manual capture of observed individuals. Results: Five herpetofaunal species were recorded. Among amphibians, Rhinella diptycha (14 individuals), Scinax fuscovarius (6 individuals), and Boana albopunctata (2 individuals) were identified. Among reptiles, Ameiva ameiva (1 individual) and Oxyrhopus guibei (1 individual) were recorded. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the presence of a representative diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the studied municipal parks, highlighting the importance of these green areas for local wildlife conservation and emphasizing the need for environmental education actions aimed at promoting the protection and appreciation of herpetofauna.