The role of innate and environmental influences in shaping antipredator behavior of mainland and insular gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis)

Placyk, John S.

doi:10.1007/s10164-011-0302-0

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Previous studies suggested that antipredator responses may vary within populations (Herzog & Schwartz, 1990; Shine et al ., 2003a,b; Bonnet et al ., 2005; Aubret, Michniewicz & Shine, 2011; Placyk, 2012). Our results provide additional evidence for intra‐population variability in DF due to effect of body size and reproductive status.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Variations among populations in antipredator tactics are driven by genetic traits and experience with predators (Aubret et al ., 2011; Placyk, 2012). Snakes from Golem Grad displayed DF more frequently compared with the other populations (Table 3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Snakes are ectothermic and, at least with respect to predatory birds and mammals, slow‐moving. Perhaps as a consequence of this performance disadvantage, they display a wide repertoire of antipredator responses when cornered, including impressive warning displays, bluff, retaliation bites, fleeing attempts and DF (Shine et al ., 2000; Placyk, 2012; Gregory, 2016). In addition, snakes show great phenotypic plasticity and thus exhibit considerable intra‐specific and intra‐population morphological variability, notably of body size (Madsen & Shine, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Death‐feigning propensity varies within dice snake populations but not with sex or colour morph

et al. 2021

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Once cornered by a predator, prey can try to intimidate the assailant or repel it, with irritating sprays for example. If seized, they may scratch, bite or struggle to cause the predator to release its grip. At the other extreme, they can adopt passive behaviours such as death feigning (DF, i.e. thanatosis). DF is observed widely across the animal kingdom; it usually involves a combination of displays such as immobility, supination, leg‐folding, mouth opening and release of nauseating secretions. When displaying DF, individuals are highly vulnerable and effectively bet on the attitude of the predator; this risky choice is presumably under positive selection. We explored how propensity for DF varies among and within populations of dice snakes (Natrix tessellata). We also considered the influence of sex, body size, reproductive status, colour morph and presence of injuries (N = 2760 snakes; five populations). DF propensity differed among populations, possibly due to variation in local predation pressures. Larger snakes displayed DF more frequently and carried more signs of probable past predation attempts (scars and recent injuries). We found no sex effect on antipredator behaviour. Gravid females used DF less frequently compared with non‐gravid females. Differential expression of DF across populations, body sizes and reproductive status suggests that this complex behaviour was selected to respond to environmental and intrinsic factors. Future studies should explore which elements affect duration, intensity and success of DF in defence against various predators.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Death‐feigning propensity varies within dice snake populations but not with sex or colour morph

et al. 2021

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“…Furthermore, musking did not correlate with differences in environmental variables, habitat differences, or metrics of predation pressure in either species. As Consistency of musking antipredator behavior was also found by Placyk (2012), who quantified behaviors in snakes from populations of differing predation threat and found that population of origin had a significant effect on musking behavior, but handling by humans did not. Taken together with our findings, this implies that antipredator decisions in gartersnakes may be determined genetically or canalized early in development, with neither immediate conditions nor recent experience influencing antipredator decisions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Effects of Sex, Environment, and Condition on the Musking Behavior of Sympatric Gartersnakes (Thamnophis Spp.)

Gangloff¹,

Bertolatus²,

Reigel³

et al. 2014

jnah

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Despite an abundance of studies documenting antipredator and defensive behaviors of gartersnakes (genus Thamnophis), few have quantitatively examined musking, a widely utilized antipredator tactic. In this study we quantify musking behaviors in the Terrestrial Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans) and the Plains Gartersnake (T. radix) when hand-captured at four sites in and near Denver, Colorado, USA. Overall, Plains Gartersnakes musked significantly more often than Terrestrial Gartersnakes. Female Terrestrial Gartersnakes musked more frequently than males, a pattern not evident in the Plains Gartersnake. Additionally, we observed a positive correlation in body condition and musking propensity in Terrestrial Gartersnakes, suggesting resource-dependent behavior in this species. Musking behavior was consistent across variations in predation pressure, environmental conditions, and snake body size, all factors shown to influence other gartersnake defensive behaviors. These results corroborate other research which demonstrates that snake antipredator behaviors are determined by complex interactions of abiotic and biotic factors.

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“…In reptiles, the results are less congruent. In tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) [71,72] and common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) [73], adults (but not juveniles) fit the pattern of reduced aggression on islands, suggesting that insular conditions induce a plastic response of soothing in these animals as well. However, Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) from Santa Catalina Island behave more aggressively than mainland conspecifics; perhaps because of the high number of (recently introduced) terrestrial predators on the island [74].…”

Section: The Current Evidence For a Behavioural Component To The Isla...mentioning

confidence: 99%

How to behave when marooned: the behavioural component of the island syndrome remains underexplored

Gavriilidi¹,

Meester²,

Damme³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Animals on islands typically depart from their mainland relatives in assorted aspects of their biology. Because they seem to occur in concert, and to some extent evolve convergently in disparate taxa, these changes are referred to as the “island syndrome”. While morphological, physiological, and life history components of the island syndrome have received considerable attention, much less is known about how insularity affects behaviour. In this paper, we argue why changes in personality traits and cognitive abilities can be expected to form part of the island syndrome. We consider the ecological drivers that may induce such changes, and the mechanisms through which they might occur. Finally, we provide an overview of studies that have compared personality traits and cognitive abilities between island and mainland populations, or among islands. Overall, the pickings are remarkably slim. There is evidence that animals on islands tend to be bolder than on the mainland, but effects on other personality traits go either way. The evidence for effects of insularity on cognitive abilities or style is highly circumstantial and very mixed. We conclude that our knowledge of the behavioural and cognitive responses to island environments remains limited, and we encourage behavioural biologists to make more use of these “natural laboratories for evolution”.

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The role of innate and environmental influences in shaping antipredator behavior of mainland and insular gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis)

Cited by 12 publications

References 28 publications

Death‐feigning propensity varies within dice snake populations but not with sex or colour morph

Death‐feigning propensity varies within dice snake populations but not with sex or colour morph

Effects of Sex, Environment, and Condition on the Musking Behavior of Sympatric Gartersnakes (Thamnophis Spp.)

How to behave when marooned: the behavioural component of the island syndrome remains underexplored

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