Tail Loss Patterns in Thamnophis (Reptilia: Colubridae) and the Probable Fate of Injured Individuals

Willis, L.; Threlkeld, Stephen T.; Carpenter, Charles C.

doi:10.2307/1444273

Cited by 40 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The overall frequency of tail breakage is similar to that reported by Willis et al (1982). However, unlike the populations of N. s. sipedon and T. sirtalis studied by Fitch (1999;2003), and the populations of T. sirtalis and T. sauritus studied by Willis et al (1982), the frequency of broken tails is not greater for females in the Beaver Archipelago overall (although it is greater if only Garden Island is considered). Furthermore, first-year snakes in the Beaver Archipelago do not appear to have a lower frequency of tail breakage than larger snakes.…”

supporting

confidence: 75%

“…The smaller mass of first-year snakes, the smaller mass of male N. s. sipedon in comparison to females of the same age (Fitch 1999), and the fact that broken tails may potentially damage the hemipenes of males all suggest that these groups should have lower frequencies of tail breakage than large snakes and females, respectively, regardless of locality. These patterns were not clear in this study or in the populations of T. butleri studied by Willis et al (1982).…”

contrasting

confidence: 73%

“…Furthermore, first-year snakes in the Beaver Archipelago do not appear to have a lower frequency of tail breakage than larger snakes. The T. butleri populations of Willis et al (1982) appear to be similar to my snakes in the lack of common patterns of tail breakage. The sample size (287) for T. butleri in that study is similar to my own, while the sample sizes of the T. sirtalis, T. sauritus and N. s. sipedon studies are considerably larger.…”

mentioning

confidence: 83%

“…More specifically, the frequency of female tail breakage ranged from 21.2 to 44.5%, and the frequency of male tail breakage ranged from 6.5 to 25% in increasing body size categories. Willis et al (1982) reported that female Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) and Northern Ribbon Snakes (Thamnophis sauritus) had a higher incidence of tail loss than males (13% versus 6%, and 12% versus 7%, respectively) and that tail loss was more prevalent in larger size classes. However, neither trend was statistically significant in populations of Butler's Garter Snake (Thamnophis butleri).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Frequency of Tail Breakage of the Northern Watersnake, <em>Nerodia sipedon sipedon</em>

Bowen

2004

Can Field Nat

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I noted the frequency of broken tails of Northern Watersnakes, Nerodia sipedon sipedon, in the Beaver Archipelago of Northeastern Lake Michigan. Overall, 10% (22 of 220) of captured snakes had broken tails. This value is similar to published values for closely related snakes but is smaller than those reported for another Nerodia sipedon sipedon population. Unlike some previously published studies, the frequency of injured tails was not greater for females or lesser for first-year snakes. The mechanism behind the injury frequency observed here and the reason for differences between this and other studies are unknown.

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supporting

confidence: 75%

contrasting

confidence: 73%

mentioning

confidence: 83%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Frequency of Tail Breakage of the Northern Watersnake, <em>Nerodia sipedon sipedon</em>

Bowen

2004

Can Field Nat

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“…1991a;Smith and Hines 199Ia), echinoderms (Bowmer and Keegan 1983), and chordates (Maiorana 1977;Vitt et al 1977;Willis et al 1982) suggests universal fitness benefits (e.g., predator escape) from the behavior. While important for immediate survival (Robinson et al 1970;Dial and Fitzpatrick 1984;Smith 1990b), autotomy is not without cost.…”

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confidence: 99%

The impact of limb autotomy on mate competition in blue crabs Callinectes sapidus Rathbun

Smith

1992

Oecologia

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Summary. This study is the first to demonstrate experimentally that autotomy (self-amputation of a body part) adversely affects competition for mates. Experiments were conducted using blue crabs Callinectes sapidus Rathbun to examine the consequences of limb loss and pairing precedence on mate acquisition by males. Two adult males of equivalent size were introduced sequentially into pools containing a sexually-receptive female and observed after 24 hand 48 h. One male in each pair was left intact, while the other experienced: (I) no autotomy, (2) autotomy of one cheliped, or (3) autotomy of both chelipeds, one walking leg, and one swimming leg. In the absence ofa competitor (first 24 h), both intact and injured males established precopulatory embraces with females. Intact males were highly successful (84-95% ) in defending females from intact or injured intruders in the second 24 h period. Both autotomy treatments, however, significantly reduced the ability of males to defend females from intact intruders. Females in experiments suffered greater frequency of limb loss than did males. In the field, paired blue crabs showed significantly higher incidence of limb loss than unpaired crabs. Limb loss frequency increases with body size, and field observations indicated that larger males may be more successful than smaller males in obtaining females. Both experimental manipulations and field studies provide strong evidence for mate competition in this ecologically and commercially important portunid species.

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A new tale of lost tails: Correlates of tail breakage in the worm lizard Amphisbaena vermicularis

Guedes

Costa

Moura

2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Brodie et al., 1991). Although antipredator mechanisms are known for several different animal groups (Edmunds, 1974), behavioral observations in nature might prove difficult. Most species are naturally rare (Preston, 1948), and in situ observations of predator-prey interactions are generally scarce (Fitch, 1987). However, for many species this difficulty can be overcome through the inspection of specimens housed in scientific collections. For instance, individuals

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Tail Loss Patterns in Thamnophis (Reptilia: Colubridae) and the Probable Fate of Injured Individuals

Cited by 40 publications

References 6 publications

Frequency of Tail Breakage of the Northern Watersnake, <em>Nerodia sipedon sipedon</em>

Frequency of Tail Breakage of the Northern Watersnake, <em>Nerodia sipedon sipedon</em>

The impact of limb autotomy on mate competition in blue crabs Callinectes sapidus Rathbun

A new tale of lost tails: Correlates of tail breakage in the worm lizard Amphisbaena vermicularis

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