Rapid survey of the herpetofauna in an area of forest management in eastern Acre, Brazil

Timber exploitation is the most profitable and popular use of forest. To evaluate how this activity affects biodiversity is of crucial importance for conservation. Therefore, we carried out a herpetofauna survey in a forest area under a reduced–impact management, in Sena Madureira municipality, state of Acre (Brazil). We used active searching, both day and night, and pitfall traps. In the pre-exploitation phase the search was conducted basically in forests and forest edges; in the post-exploitation phase we also searched in sites such as secondary roads, skid trails and timber storage yards. We recorded 38 amphibian species and 28 reptile species; 17 snakes, nine lizards and two crocodilians. It is expected that this survey can contribute to programs of environmental monitoring in forest management areas in Amazonia.