Antipredator Displays and Prey Chemical Preference of an Asian Natricine Snake, Macropisthodon rudis (Squamata: Colubridae)

  • TAKEUCHI Hirohiko
    Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
  • MORI Akira
    Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University

書誌事項

タイトル別名
  • Antipredator Displays and Prey Chemical Preference of an Asian Natricine Snake, <i>Macropisthodon rudis</i> (Squamata: Colubridae)

この論文をさがす

説明

Several Asian natricine snakes are known to possess special organs called nuchal glands. Extensive studies on the nuchal glands of Rhabdophis tigrinus have shown that the glands contain cardiac steroidal toxins known as bufadienolides, which are sequestered from its toad prey and are stored in the nuchal glands as defensive substances. In addition, several species of snakes with nuchal glands exhibit unique behaviors to enhance the effects of the glands (nuchal gland-related behaviors). Macropisthodon rudis is the only species that does not have the nuchal glands in the genus. We investigated its antipredator displays and chemical preference for toads to gain insight into the evolution of the nuchal glands. The results showed that M. rudis does not exhibit the nuchal gland-related behaviors such as neck arching, neck butting, and dorsal-facing posture. Additionally, this species showed high preference for toad chemicals. These results support a previous hypothesis that preference for toads predates the evolution of the nuchal glands and that the unique antipredator behaviors have evolved to enhance the defensive efficiency of the glands.<br>

収録刊行物

被引用文献 (2)*注記

もっと見る

参考文献 (12)*注記

もっと見る

関連プロジェクト

もっと見る

詳細情報 詳細情報について

問題の指摘

ページトップへ