Does human influence on coastal grasslands habitats affect predation pressure on snakes?

Santos, Maurício Beux dos; Oliveira, Mauro César Lamim Martins de; Gonçalves, Tatiane Penteado; Almeida, Francis de Mattos; Loebmann, Daniel; Tozetti, Alexandro Marques

doi:10.1590/s1676-06032013000100039

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Where potential predators attack the models, they leave quantifiable evidence as beak, claw or teeth marks (e.g. Webb & Whiting, ; Dell'Aglio et al ., ; Santos et al ., ; Fresnillo, Belliure & Cuervo, ), or if the models are removed entirely, they can leave predator tracks nearby.…”

Section: The Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A different kind of ecological modelling: the use of clay model organisms to explore predator–prey interactions in vertebrates

2016

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We review the use of clay models to explore questions about predation rates on small vertebrate taxa that are typically difficult to observe directly. The use of models has a relatively long history and we examine the range of taxa studied, which includes squamate reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds. Within this review, we have also included studies of model eggs, which are used in nest predation studies. We review the questions that have been asked and the interpretations arising from the data. The use of clay model animals has provided us with insights into how differences in prey morphology, size, and colour influence the rate at which they are attacked by predators. This allows us insights into the ecological, behavioural and evolutionary selective pressures of different predators on small vertebrate prey, including analysis of what characteristics predators target and how predators approach their prey (e.g. which part of the body is attacked). Further available interpretations include how regional and habitat variation influences predation events on models. We also briefly discuss the potential for clay models to study interspecific sociality and competition. Finally, we review the problems and limitations with the method and make some suggestions for further studies and amendments to help standardize this creative tool for ecological research.

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Section: The Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Santos et al . () found the opposite: less predation on snake models in human‐altered areas than in grassland reserves in Brazil due to lower density of predators in human‐altered areas.…”

Section: Application and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A different kind of ecological modelling: the use of clay model organisms to explore predator–prey interactions in vertebrates

2016

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“… e ndings of this study may serve as a basis for other studies involving aposematic coloration as anti-predation mechanism, considering that the present study has a short sampling period. In addition, this methodology may be used to test other hypothesis, such as the investigation of the relationship between the predation rate and the functionality and level of preservation of habitats, as seen in Santos et al (2013).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Aposematic Coloration Reduce Predation Risk in Snakes? A Short Period Experiment Using Plasticine Snake Models

et al. 2020

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Aposematism in an anti-predation mechanism that occurs when animals exhibit conspicuous signals, which are often of a contrasting color patterns, to alert potential predators of their unpalatability or toxicity. This study aims to test (in a short period) the effectiveness of aposematic coloration by comparing the predatory attack upon snakes models with and without an alert coloration on the body. To simulate snakes, we made 80 greenish plasticine snake models. Half of the models had a red strip on the dorsal part of the body, imitating an aposematic coloration. The other half of the models had only a greenish tint. The models were exposed to predators for 12 hours in an area with countryside vegetation.. Among the 20 models showing signs of predation, 65% were purely greenish models and 35% were models with red coloration on the back. Attaks at extremities (head and tail) were meaningly more frequent on models with red coloration. Our results suggest the efficiency of red coloration as a warning sign and anti-predation mechanism, since the models with red coloration, imitating aposematic preys, were less preyed and were attacked preferentially at the extremities, which suggests caution by the predator.

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“…Global environmental changes including the modification of habitats, ecosystems, forest structures, and types of land use may greatly impact the suitability of reptile habitats [79][80][81][82].…”

Section: Plos Neglected Tropical Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining species distribution models and big datasets may provide finer assessments of snakebite impacts

Chowdhury,

Müller,

Ghose

et al. 2024

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Background Snakebite is a major poverty-related neglected tropical disease. An integrated scientific approach is needed to understand the dynamics of this important health issue. Our objective was to estimate snakebite occurrence in a tropical area by using a blend of ecological modelling and robust statistical analysis. Methods The present study used climatic, environmental, and human population density data to determine the area with snakebite occurrence-probability for the first time in Bangladesh. We also analysed a large, 16-year dataset of hospitalized snakebite cases to reveal the epidemiology of snakebite in the south-eastern zone of the country. Findings Our results show that cobra bite is the most commonly occurring venomous snakebite in humans (around ~12% of the total yearly snakebite records), and men are more frequently bitten than women (2/3 of human victims are men). Most bites occur during the rainy season for cobra and green pit viper, while krait bites are not restricted to any particular season. As snakebite incidents are closely related to climate conditions, we can model snakebite risk using temperature and precipitation variables. Whereas there is a lack of snakebite reports from several parts of the study area in official records, our models predict that the entire study area is favourable for snakebite incidents. Based on the combined evidence we estimate that about 200,000 snakebite events occur every year in the south-eastern part of Bangladesh alone. Considering future global climate change, our model projections show that snakebite incidence in Bangladesh might not significantly decrease in the future (- 2070-); however, the distribution of probabilities might change, with a predicted increase of snakebite incidence in the hilly areas of the country. Conclusions Using climatic data to predict snakebite incidence in Bangladesh allowed us to provide estimations of the total annual number of snakebite cases in the study area. As in most countries, the scarcity of accurate epidemiological data in official records might have masked the real magnitude of this problem. Our analysis suggests that the problem of snakebite envenoming in Bangladesh might be worse than currently perceived. A long-term sustainable snakebite program plan should be designed and institutionalized, considering climatic, geographical and human demographic variables, to obtain better data and facilitate the implementation of accurate snakebite management programs for this country.

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Does human influence on coastal grasslands habitats affect predation pressure on snakes?

Cited by 6 publications

References 31 publications

A different kind of ecological modelling: the use of clay model organisms to explore predator–prey interactions in vertebrates

A different kind of ecological modelling: the use of clay model organisms to explore predator–prey interactions in vertebrates

Does Aposematic Coloration Reduce Predation Risk in Snakes? A Short Period Experiment Using Plasticine Snake Models

Combining species distribution models and big datasets may provide finer assessments of snakebite impacts

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