Data are presented on the on diet, thermal biology, microhabitat use, reproduction and helminth infection parameters of a population of Mabuya macrorhyncha hoge, 1946 inhabiting the small island of Queimada Grande, on the southern coast of São Paulo State. The lizards were collected on November 1997 (spring) and on July 1998 (winter). Most lizards were perched above ground, mainly on herbaceous vegetation. Mean lizard body temperatures were significantly higher in spring (32.6 ± 1.9ºC) than in winter (28.5 ± 2.4ºC), as were air temperatures. Mean litter size of females was 2.7 (range 2-3). The diet was composed of a diverse array of arthropods and some small fruits. Of the 19 lizards examined, 16 (84.2%) harboured helminths. Three species of helminth (one acanthocephalan and two nematodes) were found infecting the lizards. Compared to other M. macrorhyncha populations previously studied in mainland areas, the Queimada Grande population appears to be less strongly associated to bromeliads, to consume plant matter (fruits) more frequently, and to have a poorer helminth fauna.
Diet; endoparasites; insular habitat; skink; thermal biology
