Feeding, reproduction and growth in the crowned snake

AbstractThe crowned snake Tantilla melanocephala is a small fossorial sonorine snake, widely distributed through South America. Dissection of 186 specimens, combined with observations of captive specimens, provided information on the natural history of this species in southeastern Brazil. Females attained larger body sizes than males. Apparently T. melanocephala forage at night for active prey. Centipedes of the genus Otostigmus were the main prey item. These centipedes are subdued by injection of venom. Data from preserved specimens showed no significant seasonal variation in the number of collected snakes. Reproduction seemed to be highly seasonal with vitellogenesis occurring from onset to the middle of the rainy season and hatching at the end of the rainy season. Clutch size ranged from one to three and was correlated with female body length. Neonates measured 10-12 cm snout-vent length and juveniles attained about 17.5 cm SVL during the first year. Apparently males attain sexual maturity at an age of about 10 months and females at about 20 months.

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Natural history of the lizard Enyalius brasiliensis (Lesson, 1828) (Leiosauridae) from an Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842004000200021 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

pp. 353-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

M. Van Sluys ◽

V. M. Ferreira ◽

C. F. D. Rocha

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

The Other ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Important Food ◽

Insect Larvae ◽

Lizard Species ◽

Food Items ◽

History Of ◽

Forest Leaf Litter

Information on the ecology of lizard species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is scarce and almost nothing is known about the ecology of lizards of the genus Enyalius. In this study, we provide information about some aspects of the natural history of E. brasiliensis from an area of Atlantic Forest in Ilha Grande, RJ. Enyalius brasiliensis (N = 15) feeds mainly on arthropods. The most frequent food items were insect larvae, orthopterans, and ants; in terms of volume, larvae and termites were the most important food items; ants and termites were the most numerous prey categories. Two females were reproductive (one had 10 and the other, five vitellogenic follicles); the smallest measured 92.4 mm in SVL. Seven lizards were found on forest leaf litter. The other microhabitats used were vines, fallen logs, branches, and a crevice on a slope.

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The natural history of the Stenoderminae Chiroderma doriae vizottoi Taddei and Lim 2010 (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in a semiarid region from Brazil

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mammalia-2021-0022 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Isabela Silva Bellizzi ◽

Shirley Seixas Pereira da Silva ◽

Patrícia Gonçalves Guedes ◽

Juliana Cardoso de Almeida

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Natural History ◽

Body Length ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Original Data ◽

The State ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Internal Anatomy ◽

Internal Organs ◽

History Of

Abstract Original data on diet, internal anatomy, morphology, reproduction, and parasites of Chiroderma doriae vizottoi from the State of Ceará (Brazil) are presented. Intact and crushed seeds of Solanum rhytidoandrum and scales of Lepidoptera were detected in the gastrointestinal tract and feces. Observation of internal organs did not reveal any abnormalities; the intestines were, on average, 11 times longer than the animal’s body length. Reproduction seems to occur in the rainy season. The association with an ectoparasite, Mastoptera sp. (Diptera, Streblidae), was recorded.

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Natural history of global and critical brain ischaemia Part I: EEG and neurological signs during the first year after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients subsequently regaining consciousness

Resuscitation ◽

10.1016/0300-9572(81)90023-x ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 133-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

E.O. Jørgensen ◽

A. Malchow-Møller

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ◽

First Year ◽

Brain Ischaemia ◽

Neurological Signs ◽

History Of

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Composition and natural history of a Cerrado snake assemblage at Itirapina, São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/s1676-06032008000200015 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 127-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Ricardo Jannini Sawaya ◽

Otavio Augusto Vuolo Marques ◽

Marcio Martins

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

São Paulo ◽

Field Sampling ◽

Paulo State ◽

Extensive Field ◽

History Of ◽

São Paulo State ◽

Scientific Collections

Neotropical snake assemblages present high species richness and complex structures. The Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil, and was included among the 25 World's biodiversity hotspots. In southeastern Brazil, the remnant Cerrado areas have suffered intense destruction, and presently less than 2% of Cerrado natural vegetation remain in São Paulo state. Virtually no detailed study on Cerrado snakes was carried out in this region. The Itirapina region has one of the last well preserved remnants of open cerrado in São Paulo state. Our purpose in this work was the study of natural history and composition of the Cerrado snakes of Itirapina region. We performed an extensive field sampling combining six sampling methods in Estação Ecológica de Itirapina and disturbed Cerrado areas in its surroundings (municipalities of Itirapina and Brotas), during 101 trips throughout 43 months, between September 1998 and March 2002, corresponding to 446 days of field sampling. We also collected additional data from museum specimens housed in scientific collections. We present data on size, general abundance, habitat and macrohabitat use, daily and seasonal activity, feeding, reproduction, and defense. We also compared the Itirapina snake assemblage with nine snake assemblages of Brazil, from Amazonia, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and other open habitats. We recorded a total of 36 snake species among 755 individuals found in the field and six records from scientific collections and literature, belonging to 25 genera and five families. The snake assemblage comparisons indicate that the Cerrado has its own identity regarding the snake composition. Although small (about 2,300 ha), the Estação Ecológica de Itirapina encompasses well preserved and representative Cerrado physiognomic forms, which harbors a rich and typical Cerrado snake fauna. The occurrence of some species only inside the reserve also indicates that the Estação Ecológica de Itirapina is of fundamental importance to the maintenance of Cerrado biodiversity.

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Reproductive biology of the southern Brazilian pitviper Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens (Serpentes, Viperidae)

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/156853804322992850 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 77-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Otavio Marques ◽

Selma Almeida-Santos ◽

Marília Hartmann

Keyword(s):

Embryonic Development ◽

Reproductive Biology ◽

Sexual Maturity ◽

Early Spring ◽

Sperm Storage ◽

First Year ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Body Sizes ◽

Autumn And Winter ◽

Bothrops Neuwiedi

AbstractDissection of 286 specimens of the Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens, combined with data on captive individuals, provided information on the reproductive biology of this viperid snake from southern Brazil. Females attained larger body sizes than males, and reproduction was seasonal with mating taking place in autumn when males were more frequently encountered. Vitellogenesis occurred from summer to spring (January-September), sperm storage during autumn and winter (May-September), ovulation and fertilization in early spring (September), embryonic development during middle spring and summer (October-March), and parturition in the summer (January-March). Embryonic development was estimated to last from three to five months, a shorter time than was previously reported. The number of offspring of Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens born in one litter can vary from four to 25 (x = 11). Fecundity is correlated with maternal body size. Neonates measure 17-25 cm SVL. Inferred growth rate of juveniles was low (10 mm/month in first year), with males attaining sexual maturity at about 16 months, but maturity is delayed in females for at least two additional years.

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Natural history of Phelsuma madagascariensis kochi from a dry forest in Madagascar

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/156853805774806142 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 475-483 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Isami Ikeuchi ◽

Masami Hasegawa ◽

Akira Mori

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Tail Length ◽

Dry Forest ◽

Visual Modality ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Foraging Mode ◽

Ambient Temperatures ◽

Census Methods ◽

History Of

AbstractNatural history of the diurnal gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis kochi, was investigated with mark-and-recapture and census methods from the end of the dry season to the middle of the rainy season in a dry forest of Madagascar. Males were larger than females in snout-vent length, tail length, and body mass, and also had relatively larger head widths. Hatchlings were observed only in the rainy season. The geckos passively followed ambient temperatures, rarely basked, but had lower cloacal temperature than air temperature at high air temperatures. They preferred high and thick trees. The frequency of sighting decreased in the rainy season. Foraging mode was sit-and-wait. Home ranges of male P. madagascariensis kochi did not overlap with each other, but partially overlapped with those of females and unsexed individuals. Several ecological traits of P. madagascariensis kochi such as male-biased sexual size dimorphism and possible home range defense, seemed more similar to those of diurnal, arboreal lizards (some iguanids and agamids) relying on the visual modality, rather than to those of nocturnal geckos.

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