Defensive behaviour events of Ophiodes striatus (Reptilia: Squamata) during an environmental study in state of São Paulo, Brazil

A species’ ability to defend themselves against predators is directly correlated to their survival. In prey-predator interactions these mechanisms are important elements of a species’ evolutionary history. Lizards of the genus Ophiodes (Squamata: Anguidae) (Wagler, 1828) are characterized by their fossorial habits, cylindrical and elongated body, with absence of anterior limbs and vestigial posterior limbs. Many aspects of the biology and ecology of the species belonging to the genus Ophiodes are poorly known. On  December 8th, 2017, at 23:32 o’clock, an individual of Ophiodes striatus (Spix, 1824) was found during the wild fauna monitoring of PCH Palmeiras, a small hydropower plant in the municipality of Guara, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The observed individual was crossing a road between a sugar cane plantation and a remnant forest patch. After approximately five minutes of observation, the lizard suddenly moved, elevating its posterior body region until it reached about 15 cm above the ground. The mechanisms of interaction between prey and predator are complex and very diverse, constituting important elements for a deeper knowledge of a species’ natural history. In this way, the behaviour observed in Ophiodes striatus complements the available information on the ethology of species of this genus.