The Garter Snakes, Evolution and Ecology

Beaupré, Steven J.; Rossman, Douglas A.; Ford, Neil B.; Seigel, Richard A.

doi:10.2307/1447733

Cited by 69 publications

(57 citation statements)

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“…We provide support for previous estimates of maturation age and reproductive phenology for T. rufipunctatus (Degenhardt et al, 1996;Goldberg, 2003;Rossman et al, 1996). We confirmed that females can produce viable offspring by age two and males can initiate courtship behaviors by at least two and a half years.…”

Section: Insights Into Reproductive Ecology For a Cool-water Specialistsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…To improve ex situ breeding success and better understand reproductive dynamics in wild populations, insight into reproductive ecology is vital. The T. rufipunctatus data here support known seasonal trends Rossman et al, 1996), but with much additional insight and novel findings. The temporal span F I G U R E 1 Phenology of courtship behavior events by Thamnophis rufipunctatus observed (ad libitum) at the Phoenix Zoo, 2009-2018.…”

Section: Insights Into Reproductive Ecology For a Cool-water Specialistsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Unsurprisingly due to earlier maturation Rossman et al, 1996), females were younger on average (4.17 years ±1.33) including minimum age for courtship behavior (1.73 years;…”

Section: Breeding Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Empirical parturition and parity data, including intervals and frequencies (i.e., iteroparity), is scant in the T. rufipunctatus literature (Degenhardt et al, 1996;Rossman et al, 1996). We Lillywhite, 2014;Meiri et al, 2020).…”

Section: Thamnophis Rufipunctatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, much ecological and life history information for T. rufipunctatus is data deficient or limited for this species (USFWS, 2019; Wood et al, 2018), including many aspects of reproductive ecology (Holycross et al, 2020). In brief, courtship behaviors for T. rufipunctatus are rarely observed and relatively undescribed (Holycross et al, 2020; Rossman et al, 1996). Ovulation occurs as early as March, females have contained fetuses or follicles in June, and viviparous parturition occurs early to mid‐summer; males are known to undergo spermiogenesis in June and July (Goldberg, 2003; Rossman et al, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bridging conservation across the ex situ‐in situ spectrum: Insights into the reproductive ecology of the threatened narrow‐headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus)

Blais

Wells

Poynter³

et al. 2022

Zoo Biology

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Zoo‐based (ex situ) conservation breeding programs provide invaluable opportunities to uncover enigmatic behaviors and traits of focal species under managed care, which can support research and conservation management efforts. A suite of factors and a limited range have yielded population declines in the threatened narrow‐headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus). Better understanding its cryptic ecology and life history (e.g., reproductive ecology) offers conservation benefits. We analyzed data on courtship behavior, parity and litter size, offspring size, and neonatal growth from an ex situ T. rufipunctatus population at the Phoenix Zoo from 2009 to 2018. Courtship behavior and parturition phenology are likely linked with the North American monsoon season, yet the courtship window may be wider than realized. We document the first instances of interannual iteroparity and multigenerational rearing of successful breeders at the ex situ level. Litter sizes varied but were relative to maternal body mass, suggesting that fecundity may be driven by intrinsic condition (e.g., age and size) of breeding females. Mean offspring body masses were equivalent between sexes, and neonate growth trends were quadratic during their first 9 months. Sexual dimorphism became apparent around 4–5 months age. Much of these data are novel for T. rufipunctatus and provide insight into their reproductive ecology. Phenology of reproductive ecology and body size metrics can guide field surveillance, age estimations, and population ecology monitoring, as well as inform ex situ adaptive management practices. Strategies spanning the ex situ‐in situ spectrum are applicable to other imperiled taxa to better inform conservation management decisions.

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Section: Insights Into Reproductive Ecology For a Cool-water Specialistsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Insights Into Reproductive Ecology For a Cool-water Specialistsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Unsurprisingly due to earlier maturation Rossman et al, 1996), females were younger on average (4.17 years ±1.33) including minimum age for courtship behavior (1.73 years;…”

Section: Breeding Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Thamnophis Rufipunctatusmentioning

confidence: 99%