Innervation of the supranasal sac of the puff adder

York, Daniel; Silver, Timothy M.; Smith, Allen

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0185(199806)251:2<221::aid-ar10>3.0.co;2-q

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…For example, true vipers, a closely related subfamiliy within the family Viperidae, possess supranasal sacs. These organs neurologically and histologically resemble a thermal detector (York et al, 1998). Additionally, some true viper species (Russell's viper Daboia russelli and puff adder Bitis arietans) are reportedly able to incorporate thermal information into their behavioral patterns (Breidenbach, 1990), further supporting the notion that they possess a thermal sensor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Thermoregulation is the pits: use of thermal radiation for retreat site selection by rattlesnakes

Krochmal

Bakken

2003

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Pitvipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae) possess unique sensory organs, the facial pits, capable of sensing subtle fluctuations in thermal radiation. Prey acquisition has long been regarded as the sole function of the facial pits. However, the ability to sense thermal radiation could also direct thermoregulatory behavior by remotely sensing nearby surface temperatures. Using a series of behavioral arenas of varying spatial complexity and ecological relevance, we surveyed the ability of the western diamondback rattlesnake Crotalus atrox to direct successful thermoregulatory movements with either functional or disabled facial pits. We found that western diamondback rattlesnakes could base thermoregulatory decisions on thermal radiation cues when their pits were functional, but not when blocked. Our results indicate that the facial pit is part of a generalized sense, and suggest thermoregulation as an alternative hypothesis to prey acquisition for the origin of facial pits.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Thermoregulation is the pits: use of thermal radiation for retreat site selection by rattlesnakes

Krochmal

Bakken

2003

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…The putative radiation sensors, the supranasal sacs, are small organs with slit-like openings located adjacent and dorsal to each nostril (York et al, 1998). The gross structures of these organs are not obviously suited to detecting relevant targets by thermal radiation.…”

Section: True Vipers and The Supranasal Sacmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, the thermoreceptors are insulated from conductive heat loss by the pocket of gas between the membrane and the back of the pit. By contrast, the supranasal sac of true vipers is a simple structure with no suspended membrane (York et al, 1998). Further, the minute opening can admit but little thermal radiation.…”

Section: True Vipers and The Supranasal Sacmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Breidenbach (1990) reported that two true vipers, the puff adder (Bitis arietans) and the Russell's viper (Daboia russelii), preferentially strike at warm targets, suggesting that these (and perhaps other) true vipers possess a thermal radiation sensor. The identity of this sensor is not obvious, but neurological and histological studies suggest that the supranasal sac, an organ common to all true vipers, might be a thermal radiation receptor (York et al, 1998).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heat in evolution's kitchen: evolutionary perspectives on the functions and origin of the facial pit of pitvipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae)

Krochmal

Bakken

LaDuc

2004

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARY Pitvipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae) possess thermal radiation receptors, the facial pits, which allow them to detect modest temperature fluctuations within their environments. It was previously thought that these organs were used solely to aid in prey acquisition, but recent findings demonstrated that western diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) use them to direct behavioral thermoregulation, suggesting that facial pits might be general purpose organs used to drive a suite of behaviors. To investigate this further, we conducted a phylogenetic survey of viperine thermoregulatory behavior cued by thermal radiation. We assessed this behavior in 12 pitviper species, representing key nodes in the evolution of pitvipers and a broad range of thermal environments, and a single species of true viper (Viperidae:Viperinae), a closely related subfamily of snakes that lack facial pits but possess a putative thermal radiation receptor. All pitviper species were able to rely on their facial pits to direct thermoregulatory movements, while the true viper was unable to do so. Our results suggest that thermoregulatory behavior cued by thermal radiation is a universal role of facial pits and probably represents an ancestral trait among pitvipers. Further, they establish behavioral thermoregulation as a plausible hypothesis explaining the evolutionary origin of the facial pit.

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Recovering the evolutionary history of Africa’s most diverse viper genus: morphological and molecular phylogeny of Bitis (Reptilia: Squamata: Viperidae)

et al. 2014

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Innervation of the supranasal sac of the puff adder

Abstract: This suggests that the supranasal sac of true vipers is, like the labial pits of boas, a heat detector.

Cited by 5 publications

References 12 publications

Thermoregulation is the pits: use of thermal radiation for retreat site selection by rattlesnakes

Thermoregulation is the pits: use of thermal radiation for retreat site selection by rattlesnakes

Heat in evolution's kitchen: evolutionary perspectives on the functions and origin of the facial pit of pitvipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae)

Recovering the evolutionary history of Africa’s most diverse viper genus: morphological and molecular phylogeny of Bitis (Reptilia: Squamata: Viperidae)

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