Prey-Handling Behavior of Hatchling Elaphe Helena (Colubridae)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Resource Selection by an Ectothermic Predator in a Dynamic Thermal Landscape
Received: 2 May 2017 | Revised: 16 August 2017 | Accepted: 17 August 2017 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3440 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Resource selection by an ectothermic predator in a dynamic thermal landscape Andrew D. George1 | Grant M. Connette2 | Frank R. Thompson III3 | John Faaborg1 1Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA Abstract 2Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Predicting the effects of global climate change on species interactions has remained Front Royal, VA, USA difficult because there is a spatiotemporal mismatch between regional climate models 3U.S.D.A. Forest Service Northern Research and microclimates experienced by organisms. We evaluated resource selection in a Station, Columbia, MO, USA predominant ectothermic predator using a modeling approach that permitted us to Correspondence assess the importance of habitat structure and local real- time air temperatures within Andrew D. George, Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS USA. the same modeling framework. We radio- tracked 53 western ratsnakes (Pantherophis Email: [email protected] obsoletus) from 2010 to 2013 in central Missouri, USA, at study sites where this spe- cies has previously been linked to prey population demographics. We used Bayesian discrete choice models within an information theoretic framework to evaluate the sea- sonal effects of fine- scale vegetation structure and thermal conditions on ratsnake resource selection. Ratsnake resource selection was influenced most by canopy cover, canopy cover heterogeneity, understory cover, and air temperature heterogeneity. Ratsnakes generally preferred habitats with greater canopy heterogeneity early in the active season, and greater temperature heterogeneity later in the season. This sea- sonal shift potentially reflects differences in resource requirements and thermoregula- tion behavior. -
Downloaded from Brill.Com10/06/2021 09:29:00AM Via Free Access 42 Luiselli Et Al
Contributions to Zoology, 74 (1/2) 41-49 (2005) Analysis of a herpetofaunal community from an altered marshy area in Sicily; with special remarks on habitat use (niche breadth and overlap), relative abundance of lizards and snakes, and the correlation between predator abundance and tail loss in lizards Luca Luiselli1, Francesco M. Angelici2, Massimiliano Di Vittorio3, Antonio Spinnato3, Edoardo Politano4 1 F.I.Z.V. (Ecology), via Olona 7, I-00198 Rome, Italy. E-mail: [email protected] 2 F.I.Z.V. (Mammalogy), via Cleonia 30, I-00152 Rome, Italy. 3 Via Jevolella 2, Termini Imprese (PA), Italy. 4 Centre of Environmental Studies ‘Demetra’, via Tomassoni 17, I-61032 Fano (PU), Italy Abstract relationships, thus rendering the examination of the relationships between predators and prey an extreme- A field survey was conducted in a highly degraded barren en- ly complicated task for the ecologist (e.g., see Con- vironment in Sicily in order to investigate herpetofaunal com- nell, 1975; May, 1976; Schoener, 1986). However, munity composition and structure, habitat use (niche breadth and there is considerable literature (both theoretical and overlap) and relative abundance of a snake predator and two spe- empirical) indicating that case studies of extremely cies of lizard prey. The site was chosen because it has a simple community structure and thus there is potentially less ecological simple communities, together with the use of appropri- complexity to cloud any patterns observed. We found an unexpect- ate minimal models, can help us to understand the edly high overlap in habitat use between the two closely related basis of complex patterns of ecological relationships lizards that might be explained either by a high competition for among species (Thom, 1975; Arditi and Ginzburg, space or through predator-mediated co-existence i.e. -
Endogenous Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors in Snakes: a Brief Overview
Campos et al. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases (2016) 22:37 DOI 10.1186/s40409-016-0092-5 REVIEW Open Access Endogenous phospholipase A2 inhibitors in snakes: a brief overview Patrícia Cota Campos†, Lutiana Amaral de Melo†, Gabriel Latorre Fortes Dias and Consuelo Latorre Fortes-Dias* Abstract The blood plasma of numerous snake species naturally comprises endogenous phospholipase A2 inhibitors, which primarily neutralize toxic phospholipases A2 that may eventually reach their circulation. This inhibitor type is generally known as snake blood phospholipase A2 inhibitors (sbPLIs). Most, if not all sbPLIs are oligomeric glycosylated proteins, although the carbohydrate moiety may not be essential for PLA2 inhibition in every case. The presently known sbPLIs belong to one of three structural classes – namely sbαPLI, sbβPLI or sbγPLI – depending on the presence of characteristic C-type lectin-like domains, leucine-rich repeats or three-finger motifs, respectively. Currently, the most numerous inhibitors described in the literature are sbαPLIs and sbγPLIs, whereas sbβPLIs are rare. When the target PLA2 is a Lys49 homolog or an Asp49 myotoxin, the sbPLI is denominated a myotoxin inhibitor protein (MIP). In this brief overview, the most relevant data on sbPLIs will be presented. Representative examples of sbαPLIs and sbγPLIs from two Old World – Gloydius brevicaudus and Malayopython reticulatus – and two New World – Bothrops alternatus and Crotalus durissus terrificus – snake species will be emphasized. Keywords: PLA2 inhibitor, Phospholipase A2, Snake blood, Natural resistance, Snakes Background domain of Ca2+-dependent lectins, and preferentially in- A number of venomous and nonvenomous snake species hibit acidic PLA2s. Beta-type inhibitors (sbβPLIs) exhibit are naturally resistant to the deleterious actions of snake tandem leucine-rich repeats (LRRs), and specifically inhibit venom components, in many cases due to the presence basic PLA2s. -
Azure-Winged Magpie Onaga (Jpn) Cyanopica Cyana
Bird Research News Vol.6 No.6 2009.6.24. Azure-winged Magpie Onaga (Jpn) Cyanopica cyana Morphology and classification Flock: Azure-winged Magpies live in a flock in the breeding and non- Classification: Passeriformes Corvidae breeding seasons, holding their flock territory throughout the year (Hosono 1989). In breeding period they roost in a flock except for Total length: 366.8mm (319-390) Wing length: 130.7mm (122-141) females incubating eggs and nestlings. In Nagano Pref., for instance, Tail length: 214.8mm (192-240) Culmen length: 25.7mm (24-30) the mean flock and home range sizes were 23 birds (9-45) and 21.8 ha Tarsus length: 33.3mm (32-35) Weight: 83.4g (69-96) (11-48), respectively in Kawanakajima (Hosono 1968), 28.7 birds and 135.1ha (103-243) in Ina, and 16.7 birds and 287.6 ha (130-376) in Measurements by Kuzu (1942). Nobeyama (Imanishi 2003). In Saitama Pref., on the other hand, they Appearance: were 24 birds (17-31, n = 16) and 13.4ha (6.2-24.8, n = 11) respec- Azure-winged Magpies are similar in tively in Tokorozawa, where Azure-winged Magpies are assumed to plumage coloration in males and fe- occur in the highest density. They also roost in a flock, but more than one flock occasionally roosted together in the same site. They use as a males. Males are slightly larger than roost site a dense thicket of bamboo, a coniferous wood and a broad- females in body size. They are gray on leaved deciduous wood. A coniferous wood and a thicket of bamboo the upperpart and white or light gray were used with higher frequency in winter, but a broad-leaved decidu- on the underpart (Photo 1). -
Caudal Distraction by Rat Snakes (Colubridae, Elaphe): a Novel Behavior Used When Capturing Mammalian Prey
Great Basin Naturalist Volume 59 Number 4 Article 8 10-15-1999 Caudal distraction by rat snakes (Colubridae, Elaphe): a novel behavior used when capturing mammalian prey Stephen J. Mullin University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn Recommended Citation Mullin, Stephen J. (1999) "Caudal distraction by rat snakes (Colubridae, Elaphe): a novel behavior used when capturing mammalian prey," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 59 : No. 4 , Article 8. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol59/iss4/8 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Great Basin Naturalist by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Great Ba....in Naturalist 59(4), ©1999, pp. 361....167 CAUDAL DISTRACTION BY RAT SNAKES (COLUBHIDAE, ELAPHE): A NOVEL BEHAVIOR USED WHEN CAPTURING MAMMALIAN PREY Stephen]. Mullin1 AJ3S11UCT.--el.mthtl movement in snakes trulY serve ei.ther a pl'Cdatory (e.g., caudal luring) or defensive (e.g., rattling, aposem,ttism) fUllction, I descliho n new behavioral pattern of tai.l movement in snakes. Gray rat snakl.'$ (Elaphe OhSO!etd spiloid.es) fi)raging on ~ma11 mmnmnls (Mus d01ne~·ticus) Inoved. their tails in un erratic, whiplike fashion uIter detecting prey in their vidnity. The thrashing movement in the horizontal plfme was audibly and visually obviolls, resulting in dis placement of leaf litter around the hlil. All subjects displayed the behavior, hilt not in all foraging episodes. -
Proceedings of the Indiana Academy Of
Serological Relationships among some Midwestern Snakes Sherman A. Minton Jr., Department of Microbilogy and Immunology Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 Abstract Using immunoelectrophoresis, serum samples from 24 species of midwestern snakes were reacted against antiserums raised against serums of Elaphe obsoleta, Natrix sipedon, and Agkistrodon piscivorus. On the basis of immunoelectrophoretic patterns, three clusters of species can be recognized. One consists of Natrix (3 sp.), Thamnophis (2 sp.), Regina septemvittata, Clonophis kirtlandi, Storeria dekayi and Virginia valeriae. A second consists of Elaphe (2 sp.), Lampropeltis (3 sp.) and Pituophis melanoleucus. The third consists of Agkistrodon (2sp.), Sistrurus catenatus, and Crotalus horridus. Five species {Coluber constrictor, Diadophis punctatus, Carphophis amoenus, Farancia abacura, and Heterodon platyrhinos) do not fit well into any of the above groups nor do they appear closely related to each other. Immunoelectrophoretic patterns do not indicate a markedly closer relationship between the Natrix and Elaphe groups of nonvenomous snakes than exists between these groups and the Agkistrodon group of pit vipers. Elaphe, Natrix and Agkistrodon all have species in east Asia, and the American groups presumably evolved from this stock. Other relationships and their zoogeographic implications are discussed. Introduction About 38 species of snakes occur in Indiana and adjoining states. Traditional taxonomy divides them into two families, the venomous pit vipers (Crotalinae, now generally considered a subfamily of the Viperidae) and the "typical nonvenomous snakes" of the family Colubridae. However, work during the past decade by investigators using both morphological and nonmorphological criteria has shown the Colubridae to be a highly heterogenous group (2,6,9,12,13). -
A Rapid Survey of Online Trade in Live Birds and Reptiles in The
S H O R T R E P O R T 0ൾඍඁඈൽඌ A rapid online survey was undertaken EHWZHHQDQG)HEUXDU\ GD\V DSSUR[LPDWHO\KRXUVVXUYH\GD\ RQ pre-selected Facebook groups specializing in the trade of live pets. Ten groups each for reptiles and birds were selected based on trading activities in the previous six months. The survey was carried out during ZHHN GD\V 0RQGD\ WR )ULGD\ E\ JRLQJ through each advertisement posted in A rapid survey of online trade in the groups. Information, including that live birds and reptiles in the Philippines relating to species, quantity, and asking HYDROSAURUS PUSTULATUS WWF / URS WOY WOY WWF / URS PUSTULATUS HYDROSAURUS SULFH ZDV QRWHG 6SHFLHV ZHUH LGHQWL¿HG Report by Cristine P. Canlas, Emerson Y. Sy, to the lowest taxonomic level whenever and Serene Chng possible. Taxonomy follows Gill and 'RQVNHU IRU ELUGV DQG 8HW] et al. IRUUHSWLOHV7KHDXWKRUVFDOFXODWHG ,ඇඍඋඈൽඎർඍංඈඇ WKH WRWDO SRWHQWLDO YDOXH R൵HUHG IRU ELUGV and reptiles based on prices indicated he Philippines is the second largest archipelago in the world by traders. Advertisements that did not comprising 7641 islands and is both a mega-biodiverse specify prices were assigned the lowest country for harbouring wildlife species found nowhere known price for each taxon. Valuations in else in the world, and one of eight biodiversity hotspots this report were based on a conversion rate having a disproportionate number of species threatened with RI86' 3+3 $QRQ ,WLV ,//8675$7,213+,/,33,1(6$,/),1/,=$5' TH[WLQFWLRQIXUWKHULWKDVVRPHRIWKHKLJKHVWUDWHVRIHQGHPLFLW\LQWKH not always possible during online surveys world (Myers et al 7KHLOOHJDOZLOGOLIHWUDGHLVRQHRIWKHPDLQ WRYHULI\WKDWDOOR൵HUVDUHJHQXLQH UHDVRQVEHKLQGVLJQL¿FDQWGHFOLQHVRIVRPHZLOGOLIHSRSXODWLRQVLQ$VLD LQFOXGLQJWKH3KLOLSSLQHV $QRQ6RGKLet al1LMPDQDQG 5ൾඌඎඅඍඌ 6KHSKHUG'LHVPRVet al5DRet al 7KHWildlife Act of 2001 (Republic Act No. -
American Corn Snake Risk Assessment
Invasive animal risk assessment Biosecurity Queensland Agriculture Fisheries and Department of American corn snake Elaphe guttata Steve Csurhes and Paul Fisher First published 2009 Updated 2016 © State of Queensland, 2016. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. Note: Some content in this publication may have different licence terms as indicated. For more information on this licence visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0/au/deed.en" http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en P e s t a n i m a l r i s k a s s e s s m e n t : American corn snake Elaphe guttata 2 Contents Summary 4 Introduction 5 Identity and taxonomy 5 Taxonomy 5 Description and biology 5 Diet 7 Reproduction 7 Predators and diseases 7 Origin and distribution 9 Status in Australia and Queensland 10 Preferred habitat 10 History as a pest elsewhere 11 Pest potential in Queensland 11 Climate match 11 Habitat match 12 Generalist diet 13 High fecundity 13 Risk of introduction and release 13 Numerical risk analysis 13 Appendix 14 Risk assessment using the Australian reptile and amphibian model 14 Risk assessment using the bird and mammal model (adapted for reptiles) 14 References 15 P e s t a n i m a l r i s k a s s e s s m e n t : American corn snake Elaphe guttata 3 Summary Elaphe guttata (American corn snake) is a small to medium-sized slender snake up to 180 cm long, native to the south-eastern United States. -
"Black Snakes": Identification and Ecology1
WEC214 "Black Snakes": Identification and Ecology1 Steve A. Johnson and Monica E. McGarrity2 Introduction Black-Colored Snakes in the Southeast The southeastern United States is home to a great diversity of snakes. There are about 45 species of Some snake species look quite similar and may snakes (only 6 of which are venomous) that may be be difficult for those inexperienced with snakes to found along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal states from confidently identify. Among these are several species Louisiana to North Carolina. These snakes live in a of southeastern snakes commonly called “black variety of upland and wetland habitats and play snakes” because of their primarily black coloration. important roles in the region's ecology. They are These include the Black Swampsnake, Black both predators and prey, and thus form important Ratsnake, Ring-necked Snake, Red-bellied links in natural food webs. Mudsnake, Black Pinesnake, Eastern Indigo Snake and the Southern Black Racer. The latter two — Regrettably, populations of many species of Eastern Indigo and Black Racer—are the species snakes are declining not only throughout the most often referred to as “black snakes”. southeastern United States but also worldwide. These declines are largely due to habitat loss and In addition to those listed above, individuals of degradation, high mortality on roads and pollution several species of water snakes, the Eastern associated with development, agriculture and other Hog-nosed Snake and the venomous Cottonmouth human activities. In addition, introduction of Moccasin may be black colored to a great extent, invasive species, disease, parasitism and even climate depending on the age of the individual and the habitat change may exert negative effects on snake in which it is found. -
Elaphe Subocularis (Brown) Trans-Pecos Rat Snake
268.1 REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: SERPENTES: COLUBRIDAE ELAPHE SUBOCULARIS Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. of the Edwards Plateau south through Coahuila and Chihuahua, Mexico, including portions of eastern Durango and western Nue• WORTHINGTON,RICHARDD. 1980. Elaphe subocularis. vo Leon. Literature records include the following: New Mexico (Lewis, 1948, 1950; Dowling, 1957; Jameson, 1957; Gehlbach, 1959); Texas (Raun and Gehlbach, 11172and references there• Elaphe subocularis (Brown) in; Mather and Dixon, 1976; Tryon, 1976; Worthington, 1976); Trans-Pecos rat snake Chihuahua (Axtell and Webb, 1963); Coahuila (Smith, 1939; Schmidt and Owens, 1944); Durango (Webb, 1960); Nuevo Coluber subocularis Brown, 1901:492. Type-locality, "Davis Leon (Martin del Campo, 1953; Conant, 1965). Mountains, fifty miles southwest of Pecos, near the head of Toyah Creek." Holotype, Acad. Natur. Sci. Philadelphia 13733, adult male, collected by Mr. E. Mayenberg, 1901 (not • FOSSIL RECORD. Brattstrom (1964) reported Elaphe sub• examined by author). ocularis from several Pleistocene cave deposits on the western Elaphe subocularis: Stejneger and Barbour, 1917:84. Name val• flank of Pyramid Peak, Organ Mountains, Dona Ana County, New idated by Internat!. Comm. Zoo!. Nomenc!., 1965:182. Mexico .. Elaphe sclerotica: Smith, 1941:135. Substitute name for Coluber subocularis Brown, a secondary homonym of Bascanion sub• • PERTINENTLITERATURE. Important reviews are Dowling oculare Cope, 1866; name invalidated by Internat!. Comm. (1957), Wright and Wright (1957), -
Habitat Use and Seasonal Activity Patterns of the Great Plains Ratsnake (Elaphe Guttata Emoryi) in Central Texas
THE SOUTHWESTERN NATURALIST 53(4):444–449 DECEMBER 2008 HABITAT USE AND SEASONAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS OF THE GREAT PLAINS RATSNAKE (ELAPHE GUTTATA EMORYI ) IN CENTRAL TEXAS JINELLE H. SPERRY* AND CHRISTOPHER A. TAYLOR Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820 *Correspondent: [email protected] ABSTRACT—The Great Plains ratsnake (Elaphe guttata emoryi) is a poorly known species of the central and southern United States. We captured 24 Great Plains ratsnakes over 3 years at Fort Hood, Texas, and used radiotelemetry to determine habitat use and seasonal activity patterns of five adult male snakes. Great Plains ratsnakes showed an affinity for human-made structures with the majority of locations in rock structures used to control erosion. When compared to random sites, snake-selected sites were in areas of increased structure with more trees and ground cover and closer to habitat edges. Despite Great Plains ratsnakes having been documented preying on nests of arboreal birds, tracked snakes were found almost exclusively at or below ground level. Snakes were active year round and did not exhibit distinct hibernation times or sites. Snakes exhibited a bimodal pattern of activity with peaks in late spring and autumn, most likely due to temperature constraints. RESUMEN—La serpiente (Elaphe guttata emoryi) es una especie muy poco conocida de la parte central y sur de los Estados Unidos. Capturamos 24 E. g. emoryi en Fort Hood, Texas, durante 3 an˜os y usamos radiotelemetrı´a en cinco serpientes macho adultas para determinar su uso de ha´bitat y su actividad estacional. -
FEEDING OBSERVATION. the North American Rat Snake (P. Obsoletus) Is a Climber That Forages in Trees for Bird’S Nests and Squirrels (Ernst, & Ernst, 2003)
Natural History Notes PANTHEROPHIS OBSOLETUS OBSOLETUS (black rat snake): FEEDING OBSERVATION. The North American rat snake (P. obsoletus) is a climber that forages in trees for bird’s nests and squirrels (Ernst, & Ernst, 2003). Although predation on bird’s eggs is common (Ernst & Ernst, 2003), reports of simultaneous predation on a bird’s nest by two foraging P. obsoletus have not been reported. During a visit to Pennsylvania, United States in June 2013, a pair of P. obsoletus with estimated lengths of over 1 m were observed predating on nestlings of the American Robin, Turdus Figure 1. A pair of P. obsoletus predating on chicks migratorius (Harrison, 1975; Baicich, & of the American Robin T. migratorius in Port Mat- Harrison, 1997). The predation event is shown ilda, Pennsylvania, USA. in Fig. 1 and the location of the nest which was situated on the sill above the front door of a property on Kensington Drive, Port Matilda, State College, Pennsylvania (approximate co-ordinates: 40° 47′ 29″ N77° 51′ 31″ W) (is shown in Fig 2). The house was situated in an area with extensive open areas, dense deciduous woodland, network of small ponds and scrub areas and is typical rat snake habitat (Ernst & Ernst, 2003). The snakes were later removed to the surrounding woodland. Further observations of foraging P. obsoletus were observed within the grounds of the property on two additional occasions (12 and 17 June) but it is not known if these were the same individuals. Blouin- Demers and Weatherhead (2001) have suggested that forest clearing has increased the available Figure 2.