An airborne sex pheromone in snakes

Shine, Richard; Mason, Robert T.

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2011.0802

Cited by 24 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The OR shows high affinities for small airborne substances [12,15], and the V2R shows high affinity for large water-soluble substances [2,9]. Considering these reports and the present results together, it is suggested that the MOS and the VNS of snakes receive small airborne substances and large water-soluble substances, respectively, although the MOS and VNS of snakes mediate the similar behaviors [8,11,13]. As the V2R-G αo shows high affinity for nonvolatile water-soluble substances, only the V2R-G αo expression in the VNS appears to have a disadvantage for terrestrial species.…”

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confidence: 46%

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Identification of G Protein α Subunits in the Main Olfactory System and Vomeronasal System of the Japanese Striped Snake, <i>Elaphe quadrivirgata</i>

Kondoh

Koshi

Ono

et al. 2013

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

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ABSTRACT. In the olfactory system, G proteins couple to the olfactory receptors, and G proteins expressed in the main olfactory system and vomeronasal system vary according to animal species. In this study, G protein α subunits expressed in the main olfactory system and vomeronasal system of the snake were identified by immunohistochemistry. In the olfactory epithelium, only anti-G αolf/s antibody labeled the cilia of the receptor cells. In the vomeronasal epithelium, only anti-G αo antibody labeled the microvilli of the receptor cells. In the accessory olfactory bulb, anti-G αo antibody stained the whole glomerular layer. These results suggest that the main olfactory system and the vomeronasal system of the snake express G αolf and G αo as G proteins coupling to the olfactory receptors, respectively.

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confidence: 46%

“…Unlike many other animal species, snakes directly depend on both the MOS and VNS in predatory, defensive and courtship behaviors [8,11,13]. The VNS of snakes receives the environmental substances sampled by the tongue-flicking, while the MOS receives the substances through airway [4].…”

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confidence: 99%

Identification of G Protein α Subunits in the Main Olfactory System and Vomeronasal System of the Japanese Striped Snake, <i>Elaphe quadrivirgata</i>

Kondoh

Koshi

Ono

et al. 2013

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

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“…Most studies on snake sex pheromones concentrate on the genus Thamnophis (e.g. Ford and Low, ; LeMaster and Mason, ; Mason et al, ; Shine and Mason, ), and only a few treat other species (e.g. Andrén, ; Greene and Mason, ).…”

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Does Sexual Selection Influence Ornamentation of Hemipenes in Old World Snakes?

Andonov

Natchev

Kornilev

et al. 2017

The Anatomical Record

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In the present study, we investigated and documented the morphology of the male copulatory organs (hemipenes) in fifteen wide-ranging snake species. The species represent four families (Boidae, Colubridae, Lamprophiidae, and Viperidae) and ten genera. We applied the same preparation techniques for all species, successfully everting and expanding the organs completely. The detailed description of the general morphology of the male copulatory organs was based on 31 specimens. Our data were compared with published observations and we point out some incorrectly described details in previous investigations. We provide the first description of the hemipenial morphology for three ophidian species (Elaphe sauromates, Telescopus fallax, and Malpolon insignitus). In addition to the morphological characteristics of the hemipenes presented in the research, we propose the adoption of a standardized index describing the hemipenial proportions. The immense variation in hemipenial morphology presupposes its dynamic evolution, but we suggest that many of the significant structures observed here may have escaped previous researchers due to differing methodologies. Some of the highly ornamented morphologies that we describe are consistent with a locking mechanism during copulation. However, other morphologies may relate to the variety of mating behaviors observed. As a result, we propose that sexual selection is the major driver affecting the hemipenial ornamentation in snakes. Anat Rec, 300:1680-1694, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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“…Males of this species identify the sex, body size and body condition of other snakes based on water-insoluble lipids (methyl ketones: Shine et al, 2003b,c), so that washing with water will not remove these cues. The only cues that would be removed are the scents of the male's own copulatory fluids; the molecules conveying this information are small and not lipid-based (Shine and Mason 2012). Removal of those substances might eradicate an underlying preference for novel females if males base their discrimination upon such cues.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Familiarity with a female does not affect a male’s courtship intensity in garter snakes Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

et al. 2012

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In many animal species, males direct more intense courtship towards females they have not previously encountered, than towards females with which they have previously mated. To test the factors responsible for this "Coolidge Effect", we need studies on a wide range of taxa -including those with mating systems in which we would not expect (based on current theory) that such an effect would be evident. The Coolidge Effect has been documented in several lizard species, but has not been looked for (and would not be expected) in snakes. We conducted experimental trials with red-sided garter snakes Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis at a communal den in Manitoba, to see whether previous exposure to a female (either courting, or courting plus mating) modified male mate choice or courtship intensity. In keeping with prediction from theory (but contrary to an early anecdotal report), male garter snakes did not modify their courtship behaviour based upon their familiarity (or lack thereof) with a specific female. At least in large courting aggregations, male snakes may maximize their fitness by basing mate-choice upon immediate attributes of the female (body size, condition, mated status) and the intensity of competition (numbers and sizes of rival males) rather than information derived from previous sexual encounters [Current Zoology 58 (6): 805-811, 2012].

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An airborne sex pheromone in snakes

Cited by 24 publications

References 21 publications

Identification of G Protein α Subunits in the Main Olfactory System and Vomeronasal System of the Japanese Striped Snake, <i>Elaphe quadrivirgata</i>

Identification of G Protein α Subunits in the Main Olfactory System and Vomeronasal System of the Japanese Striped Snake, <i>Elaphe quadrivirgata</i>

Does Sexual Selection Influence Ornamentation of Hemipenes in Old World Snakes?

Familiarity with a female does not affect a male’s courtship intensity in garter snakes Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

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