Reptiles from Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão, northeastern Brazil

A comprehensive survey of reptiles in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (LMNP), Brazil, reveals 42 species, with restinga areas—shrubby coastal habitats—hosting a remarkable 81% of the recorded fauna. This study underscores the unique biodiversity of LMNP, situated at the intersection of three major Neotropical ecosystems: Amazonia, Caatinga, and Cerrado. Conducted over 235 days of fieldwork, the research highlights the critical importance of conserving restingas, which, despite comprising only 20% of the park's protected area, support the majority of reptile species in this complex habitat. The findings emphasize the need for targeted conservation efforts to protect these ecologically rich but vulnerable environments.

Miranda, J., Lopes Costa, J. C., & Duarte da Rocha, C. F. (2012). Reptiles from Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. ZooKeys, 246, 51–68. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.246.2593