Snake (Colubridae: Thamnophis) Predatory Responses to Chemical Cues From Native and Introduced Prey Species

Mullin, Stephen J.; Imbert, Hélène; Fish, Jennifer M.; Ervin, Edward L.; Fisher, Robert N.

doi:10.1894/0038-4909(2004)049<0449:sctprt>2.0.co;2

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(24 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For example, innate preference for native prey by T. hammondii was shown to be modified such that they learned to prefer nonnative prey (Hale 2010). This confirmed the finding that wild-caught T. hammondii preferred nonnatives including centrarchids and an anuran, Xenopus laevis (Mullin et al 2004). Bullfrogs were introduced to California in 1896 (Heard 1904), which might have provided giant gartersnakes enough time to evolve to innately recognize them as alternative prey, especially because giant gartersnakes might have historically consumed a related species, the California red-legged frog Rana draytonii (Rossman et al 1996).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Intrinsic Prey Preference and Selection of the Giant Gartersnake: A Threatened Predator in a Nonnative Prey-Dominated Community

Ersan

Halstead

Wildy

et al. 2020

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The introduction of exotic species into an environment can introduce great change in the trophic dynamics of native species. This is of even greater concern if the native species is of conservation concern. The giant gartersnake, Thamnophis gigas, an endemic predator of the Central Valley of California and a species of conservation concern at the state and federal levels, has declined as a result of conversion of its once vast wetland habitat to agriculture. Another anthropogenic factor contributing to this snake's changing ecology is the introduction of nonnative prey into the species' habitats. These introductions have resulted in a prey community that is almost completely composed of exotic species and have potential for considerable effects. In order to assess prey preference and selection we performed three sets of behavioral trials on naïve neonates. We examined 1) neonate prey preference in response to olfactory cues of prepared prey extracts, 2) neonate consumption of different live prey items presented simultaneously; and 3) terrestrial feeding behavior and/or latency to successful attack. Results from the olfactory study suggest that native Sierran treefrogs, Pseudacris sierra, are preferred by neonates. Results from consumption trials suggest that neonates are more likely to select frog species than fish species. This is the first study that we are aware of that examines prey selection of this threatened species and serves to inform its conservation and management.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Intrinsic Prey Preference and Selection of the Giant Gartersnake: A Threatened Predator in a Nonnative Prey-Dominated Community

Ersan

Halstead

Wildy

et al. 2020

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…They use infra-red sensors, usually located in the labial pits, to detect these prey (Gamow and Harris, 1973;Grace et al, 2001;Campbell et al, 2002). Chemical and visual cues may also have an important role in prey detection (Gehlbach, Watkinson and Krool, 1971;Grace et al, 2001;Mullin et al, 2004), especially ectothermic animals. Heavybodied snakes are assumed to be ambush predators (e.g.…”

Section: Foraging Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food habits of Brazilian boid snakes: overview and new data, with special reference to Corallus hortulanus

Pizzatto

Marques

Facure³

2009

Amphib Reptilia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study examines the diet of eight boid snakes: Boa c. constrictor, Boa c. amarali, Corallus caninus, C. hortulanus, Epicrates cenchria, E. crassus, E. assisi and Eunectes murinus mainly by analyzing the gut contents of preserved museum specimens, and includes a literature review to present an overview of the diet of Brazilian boids. Mammals constitute the primary prey consumed by the majority of the species. Birds are also frequently consumed by C. hortulanus and Boa contrictor, and are the most important prey for B. c. amarali. Ectotherms (mostly lizards) were only consumed by immature snakes. Such prey is rarely consumed by B. c. amarali and not recorded for Epicrates and Eunectes species in our dissections. C. caninus is likely a mammal specialist and Epicrates prey on birds more opportunistically. The niche overlap index varied from 0.27-0.52 for species occurring in the same bioma and geographic range but it is possible this overlap is lower as most sympatric species explore different macrohabitat. C. hortulanus exhibited a significant relationship between prey size and predator head size; this relationship did not differ among mature and immature snakes. In comparison to immature individuals heavier adult snakes fed on heavier prey items however, the ratio between prey/predator mass decreased with increase in predator mass (or size). Most boids exploit diurnal and nocturnal preys, probably using both sit-and-wait and active tactics. They feed on the ground but boas and C. hortulanus and possibly E. cenchria also exploit arboreal prey.

show abstract

“…To prepare the olfactory extracts, we employed a combination of two extraction techniques (Burghardt, 1993; Cooper, 1998; Greene, Stark, & Mason, 2002; Holding et al., 2016; Mullin et al., 2004; Pernetta et al., 2009; Weaver et al., 2012). All prey were weighed, and their odor was extracted through aqueous extraction.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To prepare the olfactory extracts, we employed a combination of two extraction techniques (Burghardt, 1993;Cooper, 1998;Greene, Stark, & Mason, 2002;Holding et al, 2016;Mullin et al, 2004;Pernetta et al, 2009;Weaver et al, 2012).All prey were weighed, and their odor was extracted through aqueous extraction. Each killed prey was immersed in distilled water at a concentration of 0.25 g/mL for 4 h. After suspension, sterilized swabs (Global swab ltda) of 15 cm were impregnated with the odoriferous solution and passed ten times on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the live prey's body to increase the odor concentration (Figure S1).…”

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food preference for native and invasive prey in the naive lancehead pitviper

Alves‐Nunes,

Fellone,

Marques

2024

Biotropica

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The presence of invasive species in the environment can be highly detrimental. The success of these species depends on their interaction with native ones. The prey–predator relationship between invasive and native species can result in biodiversity loss or the introduction of new food items for local predators. Due to its tropical and extensive nature, Brazil is vulnerable to the colonization of invasive species. Snakes are a group of animals that can act as both predators and prey for invasive species. The pitviper Bothrops jararaca is an abundant and widely distributed native species on the Brazilian coast. Based on this, we conducted a study on the feeding preferences of naive B. jararaca juveniles regarding invasive and native prey. We found that this species exhibits a greater preference for native anurans compared to Rana catesbeiana, an invasive amphibian associated with significant environmental impacts. Additionally, the gecko Hemidactylus mabouia, a prey that triggered intense predatory responses from the pitviper, reveals that this species, even with a short period of coexistence with B. jararaca, has established an intense prey–predator relationship. The negative correlation between prey size and feeding interest, guided solely by olfactory cues, adds a layer of complexity to understanding the feeding choices of B. jararaca, providing valuable insights for conservation and environmental management strategies.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

show abstract

Snake (Colubridae: Thamnophis) Predatory Responses to Chemical Cues From Native and Introduced Prey Species

Cited by 6 publications

References 38 publications

Intrinsic Prey Preference and Selection of the Giant Gartersnake: A Threatened Predator in a Nonnative Prey-Dominated Community

Intrinsic Prey Preference and Selection of the Giant Gartersnake: A Threatened Predator in a Nonnative Prey-Dominated Community

Food habits of Brazilian boid snakes: overview and new data, with special reference to Corallus hortulanus

Food preference for native and invasive prey in the naive lancehead pitviper

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About