scholarly journals Observaciones sobre algunos aspectos del comportamiento depredador en condiciones naturales y en cautividad de la serpiente diurna mastigodryas pleei (dumeril, bibron y dumeril 1854)

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
SALVADOR MENDOZA, R. J ◽  
NATALIA RODRÍGUEZ, S.
Keyword(s):  
Tongue Flicks

Se evaluaron algunos aspectos del comportamiento depredador de la serpiente diurna Mastigodryas pleei frente a dos tipo de presa: mamíferos (ratón de laboratorio) y lagartos (Cnemidophorus lemniscatus), cuantificando la duración de cada paso en la secuencia de depredación y midiendo variables como el número de movimientos de la lengua (tongue flicks), latencia de ataque, distancia de ataque y posición de la mordida sobre el cuerpo de la presa. Se encontró que la máxima distancia de ataque para este colúbrido diurno varia dependiendo de la naturaleza de la presa. La máxima distancia de ataque registrada (12 cm) desplegada durante el ataque a un lagarto y la minima (3 cm) desplegada a un ratón. La distancia de ataque puede estar relacionada con el reconocimiento de un peligro potencial atribuido a las características de una presa, exhibiendo tácticas diferenciales de aproximación y captura para atacar presas inofensivas o presas potencialmente peligrosas. Este hecho se evidencia durante la secuencia de depredación en el lugar específico en donde se propicia la mordida y la distancia relativa del ataque. Los tiempos de cada paso en la secuencia y el número de movimientos de lengua no mostraron diferencias significativas entre tratamientos.

Duration of strike-induced chemosensory searching in cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and a test of the hypothesis that striking prey creates a specific search image

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1057-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Chiszar ◽  
Charles W. Radcliffe ◽  
Roy Overstreet ◽  
Thomas Poole ◽  
Thomas Byers
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Searching Behavior ◽  
Vomeronasal System ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Agkistrodon Piscivorus ◽  
Search Image ◽  
Chemically Induced ◽  
Rodent Prey ◽  
Tongue Flicks ◽  
Specific Search

Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) emitted significantly more tongue flicks after striking rodent prey than after seeing, smelling, and (or) detecting thermal cues from rodent prey. This strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS) persisted for about 70 min. Prey-derived molecules acquired during the strike would not be expected to remain available to the vomeronasal organs for more than 10 min. Hence, the duration of SICS suggests (i) that a central nervous system (CNS) representation of prey is formed as a consequence of the strike and (ii) that this representation or search image has memorylike properties and remains available to guide searching behavior for a longer time than would be expected on the basis of poststrike residuation of chemically induced afference in the vomeronasal system. In experiment II, cottonmouths struck either rodent or fish prey (which were removed immediately after the strike) and 10 min later the snakes were allowed to ingest either a fish or a mouse. When the prey offered for ingestion was the same type as the prey struck, snakes grasped their prey quickly, whereas, in all other conditions, only a few snakes responded quickly and others did so after much longer latencies. It is proposed that CNS representations of fish and mice have some nonoverlapping features and that a disposition to grasp the type of prey that was initially struck endures until these prey-specific features have degraded (presumably through the ordinary process of forgetting).

The Function of Oscillatory Tongue-Flicks in Snakes: Insights from Kinematics of Tongue-Flicking in the Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata)

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 883-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Daghfous ◽  
M. Smargiassi ◽  
P.-A. Libourel ◽  
R. Wattiez ◽  
V. Bels
Keyword(s):  
Nerodia Fasciata ◽  
Water Snake ◽  
Tongue Flicking ◽  
Tongue Flicks

scholarly journals Thermal reception in the Mexican Lance-head rattlesnake, Crotalus polystictus

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Octavio I Martínez Vaca-León ◽  
Javier Manjarrez
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Response ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Head Orientation ◽  
Thermal Thresholds ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Neurophysiological Mechanisms ◽  
Thermal Detection ◽  
Tongue Flicks ◽  
Thermal Stimuli ◽  
Stimulus Shape

The sensory systems of Boidae and Crotalinae snakes detect subtle differences of thermal infrared energy. The complexity of this ability involves neurophysiological mechanisms with interspecific differences in the anatomy of thermoreceptor organs and functionally in thermal detection ranges and thermal thresholds, with ecological correlations that influence the thermo-reception. However, little is known about the information these snakes obtain and use from infrared radiation. We analyzed the behavioral response of adult Mexican Lance-head Rattlesnakes (Crotalus polystictus) to static thermal stimuli, evaluating the influence of distance from the snake of the thermal stimuli, and its lizard-like or mouse-like shape. The results reveal that C. polystictus is able to detect static thermal stimuli located from 20 to 200 cm away. Head movements and tongue-flicks were the most frequently performed behaviors, which suggests they are behaviors that can facilitate the detection of subtle differences in temperature of static stimuli. In addition, we suggest that stimulus shape and temperature are important in the timing of head orientation and frequency of tongue-flicks. We discuss the possible methodological and sensory implications of this behavioral response in C. polystictus.

scholarly journals Thermal reception in the Mexican Lance-head rattlesnake, Crotalus polystictus

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Octavio I Martínez Vaca-León ◽  
Javier Manjarrez
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Response ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Head Orientation ◽  
Thermal Thresholds ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Neurophysiological Mechanisms ◽  
Thermal Detection ◽  
Tongue Flicks ◽  
Thermal Stimuli ◽  
Stimulus Shape

The sensory systems of Boidae and Crotalinae snakes detect subtle differences of thermal infrared energy. The complexity of this ability involves neurophysiological mechanisms with interspecific differences in the anatomy of thermoreceptor organs and functionally in thermal detection ranges and thermal thresholds, with ecological correlations that influence the thermo-reception. However, little is known about the information these snakes obtain and use from infrared radiation. We analyzed the behavioral response of adult Mexican Lance-head Rattlesnakes (Crotalus polystictus) to static thermal stimuli, evaluating the influence of distance from the snake of the thermal stimuli, and its lizard-like or mouse-like shape. The results reveal that C. polystictus is able to detect static thermal stimuli located from 20 to 200 cm away. Head movements and tongue-flicks were the most frequently performed behaviors, which suggests they are behaviors that can facilitate the detection of subtle differences in temperature of static stimuli. In addition, we suggest that stimulus shape and temperature are important in the timing of head orientation and frequency of tongue-flicks. We discuss the possible methodological and sensory implications of this behavioral response in C. polystictus.

Do lizards (Podarcis siculus) react to whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus) scents? A comparative test on odour stimuli recognition

Behaviour ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 157 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 315-331
Author(s):  
Francesco Cerini ◽  
Giacomo Mattei ◽  
Luca Luiselli ◽  
Leonardo Vignoli
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Comparative Test ◽  
Tongue Flick ◽  
Complex Control ◽  
Podarcis Siculus ◽  
Tongue Flicks ◽  
Whip Snake

Abstract We tested the ability in the ruin lizard (Podarcis siculus) to discriminate between odour of a predator (the whip snake Hierophis viridiflavus) and those from harmless sources. We analysed two lizard populations: one (PP) predated by snakes and another (PNP) where no snakes occur. We tested the rate of tongue flick directed to cotton-tips impregnated with odours, and the rate of tongue flick, the time spent in immobility, escaping and exploring the terrarium containing a diffuse odour. We used the smell of the snake as dangerous stimulus, water as blank control, and cologne as complex control. Both populations did not discriminate snake cue from complex odour in both the experiments. PP individuals were more active and prone to analysing and exploring the stimuli and the environment than PNP lizards. In PP, the higher interest towards cologne and snake scents could be triggered just by their complexity that requires more tongue flicks to be ‘analysed’, with no apparent adaptive anti-predatory value. Overall, we observed a total responsiveness and activity pattern higher in the PP respect to PNP.

Site familiarity affects antipredator behavior of the amphisbaenian Blanus cinereus

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 2142-2146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar López ◽  
José Martín ◽  
Andrés Barbosa
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Internal State ◽  
Antipredator Behavior ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Site Familiarity ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Defensive Behaviors ◽  
Antipredator Behaviors ◽  
Tongue Flicks

Morphological adaptations of amphisbaenians to fossorial life might affect their antipredator-behavior decisions. Amphisbaenians exposed on the soil surface by a predator can escape by burrowing immediately or by using alternative defensive behaviors on the soil surface, and should decide where to burrow in order to return to their home range. We simulated in the laboratory predatory attacks toward individual amphisbaenians (Blanus cinereus), and examined whether their antipredator and burrowing responses were affected by site familiarity (familiar versus unfamiliar substrate) and their internal state (i.e., body temperature and associated burrowing performance). Amphisbaenians showed significantly longer episodes of alternative antipredator behaviors on the soil surface (coiling and still) when the temperature was low. Before starting to burrow in unfamiliar substrates, individuals emitted numerous tongue flicks and moved for significantly longer periods of time than when on familiar substrates, independently of temperature. In contrast, in their own cages, with familiar substrates, amphisbaenians performed only a few tongue flicks before starting to burrow. Subsequently, the time spent burrowing was significantly longer when the temperature was low or amphisbaenians were on an unfamiliar substrate. These results suggest that amphisbaenians are able to recognize their own home range by chemosensory cues and that they are able to use this information when deciding where to burrow to escape from potential predators.

Do lingual behaviors and locomotion by two gekkotan lizards after experimental loss of bitten prey indicate chemosensory search?

1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. DePerno ◽  
William E. Cooper ◽  
Laura J. Steele
Keyword(s):  
Vomeronasal System ◽  
Foraging Mode ◽  
Gekko Gecko ◽  
Leopard Gecko ◽  
Prey Chemicals ◽  
Chemical Discrimination ◽  
Tokay Gecko ◽  
Tongue Flicking ◽  
Ambush Foraging ◽  
Tongue Flicks

AbstractPoststrike elevation in tongue-flicking rate (PETF) and strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS) were assessed experimentally in two species of gekkonoid lizards belonging to families differing in foraging mode. PETF is an increase in rate of lingual protrusions after a prey item has been bitten and escapes or is removed from the mouth of a squamate reptile, whereas SICS is PETF combined with locomotory searching behavior. Eublepharis mucularius, the leopard gecko, is an actively, albeit slowly, foraging eublepharid. This species exhibited PETF for a duration of about five minutes based on total lingual protrusions. Labial-licks were initially much more frequent than tongue-flicks. A substantial increase in movement occurred during minutes 5-8, hinting that SICS might be present, but was not quite significant. SICS is likely present, as in other actively foraging lizards, but was not conclusively demonstrated. Handling the lizards induced increased locomotion in both the experimental condition and a control condition, presumably accounting for the apparent delay in onset of increased movement. The tokay gecko, Gekko gecko, a gekkonid ambush forager, performed no tongue-flicks, but exhibited PETF based on labial-licks during the first minute. SICS was absent. These findings support the hypothesis that SICS is absent in ambush foraging lizards, which do not use the lingual-vomeronasal system to search for prey. They are suggestive, but equivocal regarding the hypothesis that SICS is present in actively foraging lizards that exhibit lingually mediated prey chemical discrimination. The finding of PETF in G. gecko suggests that this species and several iguanians previously found to increase rates of labial-licking after biting prey may be able to detect prey chemicals.

Movement and Substrate Tongue Flicks in Phrynosomatid Lizards

Copeia ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 1994 (1) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Cooper ◽  
Laurie J. Vitt ◽  
Janalee P. Caldwell
Keyword(s):  
Tongue Flicks

Chemosensory species recognition may reduce the frequency of hybridization between native and introduced lizards

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gabirot ◽  
A. M. Castilla ◽  
P. López ◽  
J. Martín
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Reproductive Decisions ◽  
Chemical Recognition ◽  
Island Endemics ◽  
Podarcis Hispanica ◽  
Interspecific Recognition ◽  
The Common ◽  
Tongue Flicks

The introduction of alien species to islands by human activity can cause catastrophic consequences for small populations of island endemics. Hybridization between the endangered and endemic insular lizard Podarcis atrata (Boscá, 1916) from the Columbretes Islands (Mediterranean, Spain) and the common mainland lizard Podarcis hispanica (Steindachner, 1870) could potentially occur because mainland haplotypes have already been detected in the islands, the two species are closely genetically related, and the frequency of visitors to these islands is increasing. However, reproductive decisions of lizards are often mediated by species recognition mechanisms based on chemical cues. On the basis of this observation, even if some mainland P. hispanica lizards were introduced to the islands, interspecific recognition might make rare an eventual hybridization with the insular P. atrata. We examined interspecific chemical recognition between the insular P. atrata and the mainland P. hispanica. Our results showed that lizards of both sexes responded more strongly (i.e., directed a significantly higher number of tongue flicks) to scents of conspecific individuals than to scents of heterospecifics. Chemical recognition of conspecifics by endemic island P. atrata lizards may reduce the occurrence of hybridization with introduced mainland P. hispanica lizards and protect the insular gene pool.

Elevated tongue-flicking rate to cricket surface chemicals by the arthropodivorous rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiment ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
The Other ◽  
Potential Prey ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Diet Specialization ◽  
Tongue Flicking ◽  
Tongue Flicks ◽  
Existing Data ◽  
Dietary Specialist

AbstractThe rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus is a dietary specialist on insects and other arthropods. In a laboratory experiment, I tested chemosensory responses to chemical cues from several taxa palatable to other snakes and two control stimuli presented on cotton swabs. The snakes tongue-flicked at significantly higher rates in response to cues from crickets than from any of the other stimuli, and none of the other potential prey types elicited more tongue-flicks than cologne, the control for response to an odorous substance irrelevant to feeding. These findings are consistent with existing data for a few other species of snakes that are prey specialists, suggesting that correlated evolution may occur between diet specialization and chemosensory responsiveness to cues from the specialized prey. Tests of additional species of prey specialists are needed to establish whether this hypothesis is correct.

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