Atractus zebrinus (Jan, 1862)

enezes, Frederico de Alcantara, Abegg, Arthur Diesel, Silva, Bruno Rocha da, ranco, Francisco Luis & Feio, Renato Neves, 2018, Composition and natural history of the snakes from the Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio, southern Minas Gerais, Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil, ZooKeys 797, pp. 117-160 : 117

Atractus zebrinus (Jan, 1862)

Natural history notes.

Species of small size (n = 15), nocturnal, with fossorial habits ( Marques et al. 2001). Data on A. zebrinu activity and habitat use are available from sparse records and inferred from ecological attributes of other species of the genus (e.g., Atractus pantostictus and A. reticulatus ). The species was considered abundant in the study area and was found in all the sampled vegetation types. The exception was mixed ombrophilous forest, which are located in valleys along water courses and undergo seasonal flooding in the rainy season. This species was often captured in pitfall traps (open area = 7, forest area = 8, pitfall = 8). Seven individuals were found during the day (09:30-18:00 h.), all at rest; three under trunks, three were buried and came up when a tractor revolved the soil, and one was basking. An adult female was observed at 20:00 h. crossing the road in a forest area. This information reinforces the conclusion that this species is nocturnal and a generalist for vegetation use, because it was found in both open and forested areas. Similar to other Atractus species, the diet is composed of annelids ( Marques et al. 2001). Of the seven individuals examined, two had earthworms in their stomachs. This species was found in all sampling months at similar numbers. There is no information in the literature regarding reproduction. A female collected in October (SVL = 425 mm; TL = 34 mm) presented four vitellogenic follicles and another female was found in December (SVL = 480 mm; TL = 40 mm) with 12 undeveloped follicles. In June, two young individuals (approx SVL = 200 mm) were found together when a tractor revolved the earth. Passos et al. (2016) observed aggregation of juveniles after parturition in Atractus potschi . As defensive tactics, we observed cloacal discharge and head hiding.

Altitudinal variation.

Found at a minimum of 20 m a.s.l. in Itaboraí, RJ and maximum of 1610 m a.s.l. in Campos do Jordão, SP ( Bérnils 2009). The maximum altitude of the species is expanded here by individuals we observed at 1730 m a.s.l.

Distribution and habitat.

South and southeast of Brazil (Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo) ( Bérnils 2009, Wallach et al. 2014). The toponyms occupied by this species are concentrated in the coastal mountain ranges of Paraná and São Paulo States: Paranapiacaba, Órgaos, Mantiqueira, and Espinhaço mountain ranges. The species is found in areas with predominantly dense ombrophilous forests, mixed ombrophilous forest, seasonal forest ( Bérnils 2009), and high altitude grasslands.