Thermal biology and flight distance ofTropidurus oreadicus(Sauria Iguanidae) in an area of Amazonian Brazil

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Abstract
The thermal biology and flight distance of the tropical lizard Tropidurus oreadicus was studied on iron ore outcrops (called canga) at Serra dos Carajas, in Brazilian Amazonia. Body temperature varied markedly throughout the day (range 32.0 to 38.1 °C), but mean preferred body temperature was 35.8 °C. The air temperature in the microhabitat explained a considerable part of Tropidurus oreadicus body temperature variation, but other factors such as direct insolation and substratum teperature may also be of importance. In the morning, lizards usually climbed onto rocks and assumed progressively changing body orientations and inclinations which increased the interception of sunlight. Later they retreated to vegetation. This suggested that the importance of rocks as basking sites changes during the morning due to the angle of the sun. The flight distance was greater when body temperature was low and this may be of survival value in open areas such as the mineral outcrops of Serra dos Carajas.