Lip‐curling in redbelly snakes (<i>Storeria occipitomaculata</i>): functional morphology and ecological significance

Amaral, José Pedro Sousa do

doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1999.tb01029.x

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Molluscivory has evolved at least five separate times and is characterized by a suite of similar morphological adaptations of the skull, teeth, and cephalic musculature (Dunn, 1951;Peters, 1960;Savitzky, 1983;Gruz, 2002;Hoso et al, 2007). Snakes of the genus Dipsas and, to a lesser degree, Sibon, are morphologically specialized to facilitate the extraction and handling of mollusks (Dunn, 1951;Peters, 1960;Savitzky, 1983;Sousa do Amaral, 1999;Cundall and Greene, 2000;Gruz, 2002;Savage, 2002;Harvey et al, 2008). The radiation of molluscan specialists is greatest in the Neotropical region (Central and South America) and includes five genera in the tribe Dipsadinae: Dipsas, Plesiodipsas, Sibon, Sibynomorphus, and Tropidodipsas (Peters, 1960;Cadle, 2007).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Goo-Eaters: Diets of the Neotropical Snakes Dipsas and Sibon in Central Panama

Ray¹,

Montgomery²,

Mahon³

et al. 2012

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Goo-Eaters: Diets of the Neotropical Snakes Dipsas and Sibon in Central Panama

Ray¹,

Montgomery²,

Mahon³

et al. 2012

Copeia

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“…Another slug specialist, the unrelated African Duberria (Lamprophiidae; Pyron et al 2011), also assumes an unusual, static defensive posture (Branch 1998). Among the two most widespread species of Storeria (Colubridae: Natricinae), S. occipitomaculata specializes on slugs; it has a bright red venter, exposed during putative “death-feigning” (Jordan 1970), and flares its lips in response to a predator (do Amaral 1999). In contrast, S. dekayi preys primarily on worms and has a white venter and no obvious defensive behavior.…”

Section: Common Themes and Candidate Taxamentioning

confidence: 99%

Sequestered defensive toxins in tetrapod vertebrates: principles, patterns, and prospects for future studies

et al. 2012

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Chemical defenses are widespread among animals, and the compounds involved may be either synthesized from nontoxic precursors or sequestered from an environmental source. Defensive sequestration has been studied extensively among invertebrates, but relatively few examples have been documented among vertebrates. Nonetheless, the number of described cases of defensive sequestration in tetrapod vertebrates has increased recently and includes diverse lineages of amphibians and reptiles (including birds). The best-known examples involve poison frogs, but other examples include natricine snakes that sequester toxins from amphibians and two genera of insectivorous birds. Commonalities among these diverse taxa include the combination of consuming toxic prey and exhibiting some form of passive defense, such as aposematism, mimicry, or presumptive death-feigning. Some species exhibit passive sequestration, in which dietary toxins simply require an extended period of time to clear from the tissues, whereas other taxa exhibit morphological or physiological specializations that enhance the uptake, storage, and/or delivery of exogenous toxins. It remains uncertain whether any sequestered toxins of tetrapods bioaccumulate across multiple trophic levels, but multitrophic accumulation seems especially likely in cases involving consumption of phytophagous or mycophagous invertebrates and perhaps consumption of poison frogs by snakes. We predict that additional examples of defensive toxin sequestration in amphibians and reptiles will be revealed by collaborations between field biologists and natural product chemists. Candidates for future investigation include specialized predators on mites, social insects, slugs, and toxic amphibians. Comprehensive studies of the ecological, evolutionary, behavioral, and regulatory aspects of sequestration will require teams of ecologists, systematists, ethologists, physiologists, molecular biologists, and chemists. The widespread occurrence of sequestered defenses has important implications for the ecology, evolution, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles.

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“…This may be an adaptation to cutting through skink scales, promoting deep tooth penetration into the prey, and preventing the prey from escaping the mouth whilst being eaten. The teeth of the North American redbelly snake, Storeria occipitomaculata , also have distal carinae which aid in securing slippery gastropod prey (Do Amaral, 1999). Thus the dental morphology of non-venomous snakes is strongly linked to prey type.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The cutting-edge morphology of the mole snake’s dental apparatus

Evans

Choiniere

Alexander

2019

PeerJ

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The mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) is capable of inflicting unusual bites in defence and during male combat that present as two parallel lacerations. We investigated the dental morphology of the mole snake by making SEM images, and by CT-scanning and digitally reconstructing the skulls of 14 specimens comprising both sexes. The lengths, volumes, shapes and positions of maxillary and dentary teeth were compared within individuals, between individuals, and between sexes. CT reconstructions show the occurrence of large, flat triangular teeth at the posterior end of the maxilla that are angled to point towards the posterior of the skull. SEM imagery highlights the presence of sharp ridges (carinae) on the posterior edges of the posterior dentary and maxillary teeth. Males have greater dental specialization, maxillary tooth variation, enlargement of the posterior-most maxillary teeth, and dentary teeth with posterior carinae. We hypothesize that mole snake dental specializations are adaptations for their particular form of male combat and possibly for subduing prey in the confines of underground burrows. Our findings reveal a complex dental morphology in mole snakes and provide impetus for further studies on the functional morphology of snake teeth.

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Lip‐curling in redbelly snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata): functional morphology and ecological significance

Cited by 4 publications

References 16 publications

Goo-Eaters: Diets of the Neotropical Snakes Dipsas and Sibon in Central Panama

Goo-Eaters: Diets of the Neotropical Snakes Dipsas and Sibon in Central Panama

Sequestered defensive toxins in tetrapod vertebrates: principles, patterns, and prospects for future studies

The cutting-edge morphology of the mole snake’s dental apparatus

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