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Home , Amphisbaena fuliginosa, Anilius, Leposternon, Mesobaena, Rufous hornero

Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 1117-1122 (2021) (published online on 20 Aug 2021)

New records of predation interactions between and amphisbaenians, and a report of bites by vermicularis Wagler, 1824 (: )

Lucas de Souza Almeida1,* and Lucas Lima Bezerra2

Amphisbaenids are limbless with worm-like to display defensive tactics such as erratic movements, appearance, reduced eyes, and fossorial habits (Barros- fleeing, caudal luring, gaping the mouth, caudal autotomy, Filho et al., 2008). Their range covers the African and and biting (Greene, 1973; Navega-Gonçalves and Benites, American continents and, up to now, 182 have 2019; Guedes et al., 2020). Here we present two records been described, of which 82 are reported to occur in of interactions between amphisbaenians and birds, one (Costa and Bérnils, 2018; Uetz et al., 2020). with a Roadside Hawk, Rupornis magnirostris (Gmelin, These are adapted for living most of their lives 1788), and another with a Rufous , Furnarius in underground galleries (Gans, 1978; Kearney and rufus (Gmelin, 1788). We also report a defensive Stuart, 2004; Bernarde, 2012; Vitt and Caldwell, 2013), behaviour for Amphisbaena vermicularis Wagler, 1824. using their heads with highly specialized and resistant The first interaction occurred on 30 September 2017 bones to excavate (Gans, 1978). Since they inhabit at 11:42 h, after a rainy morning, in a fragment of dense underground galleries, amphisbaenians are difficult to ombrophilous rainforest located in an urban area in the find and, therefore, their natural history,in situ behaviour, coastal city of Peruíbe, São Paulo State, southeastern predators, and prey are rarely documented (Gans, 1971; Brazil (24.3636°S, 47.0213°W; Datum WGS-84; Marques and Sazima, 1997; Filogonio et al., 2009). elevation 12 m). We observed a Roadside Hawk as Based on a molecular analysis, Mott and Vieites (2009) it grabbed an amphisbaenian, probably Leposternon synonymized all South American amphisbaenid genera microcephalum Wagler, 1824, with its claws. The with Amphisbaena, except for the Mesobaena. hawk then landed on a tree branch and repeatedly beat Although the work of Mott and Vieites (2009) was the amphisbaenian against the trunk of the tree. The important for a better understanding of the evolutionary hawk also stomped on the amphisbaenian and pecked history of this complex group, we here follow Ribeiro et at it three times. While pecking at its prey, the hawk al. (2011) in treating Leposternon as a valid genus. used abrupt movements of its wings and feet to try and Unlike , birds, and mammals, reptiles were lacerate the amphisbaenian’s body. The amphisbaenian once considered behaviourally less complex animals merely writhed in response. As soon as the hawk ended (Brattstrom, 1974). However, we now know that reptiles the attacks, it looked around and repeated the pulling have a wide behavioural repertoire (Vitt and Caldwell, movements helped by its wings. The amphisbaenian 2013). Some of these behaviours may be induced by then lifted its anterior body portion (Fig. 1A), making the action of predators or the stress generated during it possible to discern its “shovel-shaped” head (Gans, predation events, and they can be more vigorous in 1971; Porto et al., 2000; Perez and Ribeiro, 2008). After cases of subjugation (Greene, 1973; Edmunds, 1974). that, the hawk flew off with the amphisbaenian in its When threatened by a predator, amphisbaenians are able claws. The interaction lasted about 35 s. The second interaction occurred on the campus of the Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro Municipality, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil (22.3972°S, 1 Laboratório de Herpetologia, Departamento de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio 47.5438°W; Datum WGS-84; elevation 611 m), on 13 de Mesquita Filho’, Rio Claro, São Paulo 13506-900, Brazil. November 2017 at 17:53 h, during a warm and sunny 2 Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará 60714-903, afternoon after hours of torrential rain. A Rufous Hornero Brazil. started a series of long and low flights before landing on * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] dry leaves of fern and Cecropia hololeuca Miq. After © 2021 by Herpetology Notes. Open Access by CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. landing, the pecked four times at the same spot, and 1118 Lucas de Souza Almeida & Lucas Lima Bezerra

Figure 1. (A) A Roadside Hawk, Rupornis magnirostris, subduing an amphisbaenian of the genus Leposternon (probably L. microcephalum) in Peruíbe Municipality, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. The yellow arrow indicates the head of the amphisbaenian. (B) Amphisbaena dubia dropped on the asphalt by Furnarius rufus in Rio Claro Municipality, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. on the last peck, it pulled an individual of Amphisbaena biological specimens found dead can be deposited in a dubia Müller, 1924 out of the ground by its posterior body scientific collection without the need for a collection portion. The hornero then flew a brief and low flight to permit. reposition itself next to the amphisbaenian, which tried to With regard to amphisbaenians, predation records by hide under the dry leaves. Quickly searching through the birds are the most common and were briefly reviewed leaves with two side movements of its beak, the hornero previously (Zamprogno and Sazima, 1993; Rajão et al., found the amphisbaenian, which showed no defensive 2013; Hayes et al., 2015). Hayes et al. (2015) included a behaviour. With two additional pecks, combined with Whistling Heron, Syrigma sibilatrix (Temminck, 1824), short and quick wing strokes, the hornero subjugated the on the list of amphisbaenians predators. Folly et al. (2015) amphisbaenian and kept it restrained using its beak. The published about a fortuitous predation event between a bird seemed to have difficulty keeping the amphisbaenian Red-legged Seriema, Cariama cristata (Linnaeus, 1766), in its beak, even though it writhed only very slowly. and Leposternon microcephalum. Smaniotto et al. (2017) With the amphisbaenian still in its beak, the hornero reported the interaction between a Guira Cuckoo, Guira flew a brief and low flight, moving to a location about guira (Gmelin, 1766), and Amphisbaena vermicularis in 3 m away from the observers. Suddenly, a Pale-breasted the state of Mato Grosso, central Brazil. Tanaka et al. Thrush, Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818, arrived and (2019) published a short note reporting three events of attacked the hornero, which dropped the amphisbaenian. unidentified amphisbaenids being attacked by White- The hornero then picked up the amphisbaenian again necked Hawks, Amadonastur lacernulatus (Temminck, in its beak and carried it along the ground for 1 m. The 1827), an endemic and uncommon species occurring in hornero then released the still-moving amphisbaenian, the denser vegetation of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. pecked at it twice, and succeeded in killing it. The hornero Recently, Nolasco et al. (2020) found a Burrowing tried to carry the amphisbaenian in its beak once more, Owl, Athene cunicularia (Molina, 1782), preying on an but the flight was low and, after 5 m, the amphisbaenian Amphisbaena vermicularis. Besides these birds, other fell onto the asphalt. The hornero then abandoned its vertebrates prey on amphisbaenians, including semi- prey. The observed interaction lasted for 2:23 min. The fossorial coralsnakes, genus Micrurus (Sazima and Abe, Amphisbaena dubia specimen (Fig. 1B) was a female 1991; Marques and Sazima, 1997; Gomes et al., 2005; with 210 mm snout–vent length (measured with a 1 mm Da Silva Banci et al., 2017), as well as the colubrids precision measuring tape) and was identified using the Apostolepis cearensis Gomes, 1915 (Silveira et al., 2014) information in Gans (1964), Vanzolini (2002), and Zaher and members of the genus Elapomorphus (Zamprogno et al. (2011). Unfortunately, we discarded the A. dubia and Sazima, 1993). Maschio et al. (2010) evaluated the because at that time, we were unaware that in Brazil dietary composition of scytale (Linnaeus, 1758), Predation Interactions Between Birds and Amphisbaenians 1119 and reported that this fossorial preys on several records and the occurrence of rain. All the interactions species of amphisbaenians, such as Amphisbaena described in this work occurred during the rain or one day anomala (Barbour, 1914), A. fuliginosa Linnaeus, 1758, after a rainy day. These data corroborate the observation A. mitchelli Procter, 1923, and Leposternon polystegum by Zamprogno and Sazima (1993) that amphisbaenians (Duméril, 1851). There is a curious record of predation probably go to the surface more frequently after rainy by Drymarchon corais (Boie, 1827) on Amphisbaena periods due to flooding of their tunnels, exposing alba Linnaeus, 1758 (Campos et al., 2010). There is themselves and becoming potential prey. also one record of attempted predation by the Some amphisbaenians display defensive behaviours Ameiva ameiva (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ubaid et al., 2009). when facing predators or other kinds of threats (Greene, A Pepper , Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1973). Some species, such as Amphisbaena alba and 1824), was found with an A. vermicularis in its stomach A. fuliginosa, perform defensive tail displays, possibly content (Vaz-Silva et al., 2003). After analyses of the as a distraction for potential predators (Beebe, 1945; stomach content of a dead Crab-eating Fox, Cerdocyon Gans, 1962; Greene, 1973; Zamprogno and Sazima, thous (Linnaeus, 1766), Zamprogno and Sazima (1993) 1993). Several species are able to autotomize their tails reported that this may prey on individuals of to escape from predators, as Vanzolini (1951) noticed Leposternon wuchereri (Peters, 1879). for A. fuliginosa and Zamprogno and Sazima (1993) The knowledge about the diet of birds of prey, as well reported for A. vermicularis and A. mertensii Strauch, as their foraging and hunting behaviours are incomplete 1881. Guedes et al. (2020) presented a review of A. (Panasci and Withacre, 2000). Birds of prey, such as vermicularis with autotomized tails. Other defensive R. magnirostris, are generalist species and include in techniques presented by amphisbaenians are erratic their diet a wide spectrum of prey animals, ranging movements, cloacal discharge, and strike concluding from , , or reptiles to other birds with bites (Gorzula et al., 1977). However, up to now, and small mammals (Haverschmidt, 1962; Thiollay, only A. alba and A. mertensii were recorded performing 1994). Rupornis magnirostris is a common species bites as a defensive behaviour (Cloudsley-Thompson, distributed throughout Brazil and widely distributed in 1977; Andrade et al., 2006). the Americaa, with populations known from Mexico On 9 June 2020 at 17:03 h we rescued an Amphisbaena to (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001). Its vermicularis (Fig. 2A) from an attack by a domestic cat, diet is recorded to include some amphisbaenians, such Felis catus (Linnaeus, 1758), in the backyard, of a house as Amphisbaena darwinii Duméril & Bibron, 1839, in Fortaleza Municipality, Ceará State, northeastern A. vermicularis, and A. alba, although the latter is an Brazil (3.8341°S, 38.5511°W; Datum WGS-84; elevation unconfirmed record due to the absence of photos or 38 m). In this backyard, we saw a planted area of 48 m2 collected specimens (Zottta, 1934; Gallardo, 1967; where, according to the house dwellers, it was common Santos and Rosado, 2009). Together with our first record to observe amphisbaenians emerging, especially during of predation on a specimen of the genus Leposternon, the rainy season. When the amphisbaenian was picked those records may indicate that the amphisbaenians are up, we could observe some scars and bleeding bruises regular prey items for R. magnirostris. on its body, and it performed erratic movements for 4 s. We did not find any record of Rufous Horneos feeding After 10 s of holding the amphisbaenian with bare hands, or trying to feed on amphisbaenians, which makes our the individual opened its mouth. Despite the difficulty observation unusual. Nevertheless, there are reports of due to its small mouth size, the individual succeeded in interactions between Rufous and , such biting the hand that was holding it three times (Fig. 2B) as Leptodactylus latrans (Steffen, 1815) (Acosta, 2013). and tore the skin between the fingers. Furnarius rufus is a very common and synanthropic Among amphisbaenians A. vermicularis is considered bird (Scherer et al., 2010). The key to its dispersive and a small species, reaching a total length of 325 mm reproductive success is its omnivorous and generalist (Gans, 2005). It is widely distributed in Brazil, with diet, which consists mainly of , worms, and records through a variety of vegetation types, including seeds (Sick, 1997; Scherer et al., 2010; Sazima, 2013). Cerrado, Caatinga, Atlantic Rainforest, and Even after restraining its prey, the F. rufus abandoned the (Vanzolini, 2002; Uetanabaro et al., 2007). According Amphisbaena dubia, probably because of the difficulty to Albuquerque et al. (2008), biting as a mechanism of to cut the amphisbaenian into ingestible pieces. defensive behaviour in amphisbaenians has mainly been It is important to emphasize the relation between these observed when experimentally provoked, and more rarely 1120 Lucas de Souza Almeida & Lucas Lima Bezerra

Figure 2. (A) Amphisbaena vermicularis found in the backyard of a residence in Fortaleza Municipality, Ceará State, northeastern Brazil. (B) Another specimen of Amphisbaena vermicularis from the same locality biting the hand of LLB. during field observation, such as when one individual of Albuquerque, C.C., Travaglia-Cardoso, S.R., Ramos, D. P. (2008): A. alba was attacked by some chickens, Gallus gallus Amphisbaena alba (Worm lizard). Defensive behaviour. Linnaeus, 1758, and bit back. This is the first record ofA . Herpetological Bulletin 106: 37–38. Andrade, D.V., Nascimento, L.B., Abe, A.S. (2006): Habits hidden vermicularis defending itself using bites. In this case, the underground: a review on the reproduction of the behaviour may have been a result due to the stress caused with notes on four neotropical species. Amphibia-Reptilia 27(2): by the cat, which was trying to subdue the A. vermicularis 207–217. and caused some injuries to it. Other animals from the Barros-Filho, J.D.D., Hohl, L.D.S.L., Rocha-Barbosa, O. (2008): same species and population, which we have handled Excavatory cycle of Leposternon microcephalum Wagler, 1824 before, were not so aggressive as this individual, but they (Reptilia, Amphisbaenia). International Journal of Morphology were not threatened and injured by any animal before we 26(2): 411–414. Brattstrom, B.H. (1974): The evolution of reptilian social took them. All specimens of A. vermicularis mentioned in behaviour. American Zoologist 14(1): 35–49. this article were not collected because we did not have the Beebe, W. (1945): Field notes on the of Kartabo, proper permits and were released in the same place where British Guiana, and Caripito, . Part 3. , they were initially found. Amphisbaenidae and Scincidae. Zoologica 30: 7–32. These predation interactions and the defensive Bernarde, P.S. (2012): Anfíbios e Répteis: Introdução ao Estudo da behaviour described for A. vermicularis in this work Herpetofauna Brasileira. São Paulo, Brazil, Anolis Books. contribute to the understanding of the natural history Campos, V.A., Oda, F.H., Curcino, A.F., Curcino, A. (2010): An unusual prey item for the yellow tail cribo Drymarchon corais and ecological relations of those animals. (Boie 1827), in the Brazilian savannah. Herpetology Notes 3: 229–231. Acknowledgments. We are grateful to Fábio Luiz Donizete for Cloudsey-Thompson, J.L. (1977): Some aspects of biology of providing us with one of his precious records of R. magnirostris Amphisbaena alba L. British Journal of Herpetology 5(8): preying upon Leposternon and with the necessary information. 617–621. We also thank Déborah Praciano de Castro and Ibere Farina Costa, H.C., Bérnils, R.S. (2018): Répteis brasileiros: lista de Machado for reviewing our manuscript and giving us advice espécies. Herpetologia Brasileira 8(1): 1–60. and suggestions, and Renato Silveira Bérnils and Francisco Da Silva Banci, K.R., Torello-Viera, N.F., Freitas, A.C., Marques, Luís Franco for helping us with some references about Brazilian O.A.V. (2017): Feeding on elongate prey: additional data for the amphisbaenids – and the time spent on conversations about that coral snake Micrurus corallinus (Merrem, 1820) () and topic. We thank Gabriele Santana de Farias for helping us with comments on aposematism. Herpetology Notes 10: 335–338. the English review. We are grateful to CNPq, which provided Edmunds, M. (1974): Defence in Animals: A Survey of Antipredator resources through a grant (130723/2020-7) to LSA. Defences. London, United Kingdom, Longman. Ferguson-Lees, J., Christie, D.A. (2001): Raptors of the World. References New York, USA, Houghton Mifflin. Filogonio, R., Galdino, C.A., Cabral, D.P., Righi, A.F., Lopes, M.F., Acosta, M.D. (2013): Hornero Común (Furnarius rufus) Nascimento, L.B. (2009): Sexual dimorphism in Leposternon alimentándose de una Rana Criolla (Leptodactylus latrans). microcephalum and L. wuchereri (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae) Revista Biológica 16: 128–129. Predation Interactions Between Birds and Amphisbaenians 1121

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Accepted by Pedro H. Pinna