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Predation of a Non-Native Changeable Lizard (Calotes Versicolor) by the Native Kopstein’S Bronzeback Snake (Dendrelaphis Kopsteini) in Singapore

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Predation of a Non-Native Changeable Lizard (Calotes Versicolor) by the Native Kopstein’S Bronzeback Snake (Dendrelaphis Kopsteini) in Singapore Herpetology Notes, volume 8: 303-304 (2015) (published online on 19 May 2015) Predation of a non-native changeable lizard (Calotes versicolor) by the native Kopstein’s bronzeback snake (Dendrelaphis kopsteini) in Singapore Ryan J. R. McCleary1,* and Reyla Ichtiarani2 Kopstein’s bronzeback snake (Dendrelaphis kopsteini) is the presence of orange-red coloration in the nuchal is one of a number of Dendrelaphis species found region posterior to the head. It is a slender snake that throughout Asia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. is scansorial (but mainly arboreal) in habits and has a It was previously included as part of the species D. large eye relative to the body. These characteristics formosus (the elegant bronzeback) and has long been make it particularly well adapted for hunting diurnal, confused with D. cyanochloris (Wall’s bronzeback). arboreal prey species. It is often cited as preying mainly Recent examinations of these three species, however, upon lizards and frogs (Baker and Lim, 2008), but the have led to clarified definitions of each, including only published prey species for D. kopsteini is the frog placement of D. kopsteini into its own distinct species Rhacophorus dulitensis (Dehling, 2010), the snake D. (Vogel and van Rooijen, 2007). The genus is currently pictus (Ng, 2015), and a gliding gecko (Ptychozoon considered to contain 41 (Uetz and Hošek, 2015) or kuhli). This latter item was published as prey for D. more different species, many of which have been named formosus, before the designation of D. kopsteini (Das, recently (Vogel and van Rooijen, 2008a,b; 2011a, b, c), 1999). The individual animal in question was, however, have been elevated from subspecies to species status subsequently determined to be a D. kopsteini (Das, (Vogel and van Rooijen, 2011a), or have had their pers. comm.). There are also photos of this species original monikers restored (Vogel and van Rooijen, consuming (or attempting to consume) the green crested 2011a). In Singapore, there are six known species of lizard (Bronchocela cristatella; Baker, 2015; Yam, Dendrelaphis (caudolineatus, cyanochloris, formosus, 2010) on the internet. D. kopsteini is thought to be non- haasi, kopsteini, and pictus). They inhabit green spaces venomous (Baker and Lim, 2008). ranging from parks and gardens to more protected On 14 December 2014 at 13:28 local time, we noticed areas such as the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. an adult D. kopsteini fall out of a tree at Bukit Batok Although not much is known concerning their natural Nature Park (01.34966°N 103.76487°E; datum: WGS history in general, they all are thought to feed mainly 84), Singapore. Upon closer inspection, we saw that on small vertebrate prey, including frogs, lizards, and the snake was grasping a changeable lizard (Calotes birds (Das, 2010). versicolor) in its mouth, and that the lizard was The distribution of D. kopsteini includes Thailand; attempting escape by thrashing its body. The snake the Malay peninsula to Singapore; Sumatra, Indonesia carried the lizard up a hill a distance of about 4 m and (Vogel and van Rooijen, 2007); and Borneo (Das, then into a tangle of trees to a height of about 2.5 m 2007). A distinguishing characteristic of D. kopsteini above the ground. At this point, the snake began to consume the lizard (Fig. 1), which occasionally moved its legs or body. Over the next 32 min, the snake slowly ingested the lizard until only ~5 cm of the tail was protruding from the snake’s mouth. At this point, the snake climbed higher into the canopy until it was out of 1 National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543; our line of sight. 2 National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Although it is found naturally further north in Singapore 119074 Southeast Asia, C. versicolor is considered a non-native * Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] species in Singapore, having been introduced in the 304 Ryan J. R. McCleary & Reyla Ichtiarani Figure 1. Kopstein’s bronzeback (Dendrelaphis kopsteini) ingesting a changeable lizard (Calotes versicolor). late 1980s (Chou, 1994). It can be found in habitats Accessed on 15 March 2015. ranging from urban parks and other disturbed habitats to Vogel, G., van Rooijen, J. (2007): A new species of Dendrelaphis secondary forests, and its success in Singapore is likely (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Southeast Asia. Zootaxa 1394: 25-45. responsible for the concomitant decline in populations Vogel , G. , van Rooijen, J. (2008a): Contributions to a review of of Bronchocela cristatella. This report adds to the the Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) complex (Serpentes: list of prey species of D. kopsteini and shows that this Colubridae)—1. Description of a sympatric species. Amphibia- species can consume non-native prey. Reptilia 29: 101-115. Vogel , G. , van Rooijen, J. (2008b): A new species Dendrelaphis References (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Java, Indonesia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 56: 189-197. Baker, N. (2015): Kopstein’s bronzeback. Ecology Asia. Available Vogel , G. , van Rooijen, J. (2008c): Contributions to a review of at: http://www.ecologyasia.com. Accessed on 15 March 2015. the Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) complex (Serpentes: Baker, N., Lim, K. (2008): Wild animals of Singapore. Singapore, Colubridae)—2. The Eastern forms. Herpetozoa 21: 3-29. Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte. Ltd. and Nature Society Vogel, G., van Rooijen, J. (2011a): Contributions to a review of (Singapore). the Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) complex (Serpentes: Chou, L.M. (1994): Calotes versicolor (Indian tree lizard). Colubridae)—3. The Indian forms, with the description of a Singapore: Kent Ridge. Herpetological Review 25: 75-76. new species from the Western Ghats. Journal of Herpetology Das, I. (1999): A note on predation of Ptychozoon kuhli by 45: 100-110. Dendrelaphis formosus (Reptilia: Squamata). Malayan Nature Vogel, G., van Rooijen, J. (2011b): A new species of Dendrelaphis Journal 53: 349-350. (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Western Ghats – India. Das, I. (2007): Dendrelaphis kopsteini (Kopstein’s bronzeback Taprobanica 3: 77-85. tree snake). Brunei Darussalam: Belait district. Herpetological Yam, B. (2010): Kopstein’s bronzeback/red necked bronzeback Review 38: 220. (Dendrelaphis kopsteini). Available at: http://dashwolfe. Das, I. (2010): A field guide to the reptiles and amphibians of smugmug.com/Nature/Animals/i-hQpQpj9. Accessed 13 South-east Asia. London, New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd. March 2015. Dehling, J.M. (2010): Rhacophorus dulitensis (jade tree frog). Predation. Herpetological Review 41: 67-68. Ng, L. (2015): Kopstein’s bronzeback eating painted bronzeback. Singapore Biodiversity Records 2015: 23. Accepted by Benjamin Tapley Uetz, P., Hošek, J., eds. (2015): Dendrelaphis. The Reptile Database. Available at: http://www.reptile-database.org. .
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