Integumentary bloodvascular system in garter snakes (<i>Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis</i> and <i>Thamnophis radix</i>)

Rauch, Josefine C.

doi:10.1139/z78-067

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…However, vertebrate pheromones are not necessarily of glandular origin; urine and feces, for example, may contain pheromonal substances (Muller-Schwarze and Moze11, 1977). Thus, when we learned of a specialized network of blood vessels in the skin of Thamnophis snakes (Rauch, 1978),we hypothesized that the circulation could be the source of the pheromone. Although in retrospect it seems obvious that the skin would have a blood supply, and others had discussed it (White, 1957), Rauch's description served as a catalyst for our thinking.…”

Section: Nature and Source Of The Pheromonementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although in retrospect it seems obvious that the skin would have a blood supply, and others had discussed it (White, 1957), Rauch's description served as a catalyst for our thinking. We reasoned that if the pheromone was present in the circulation it might reach the skin via Rauch's (1978) vessels and percolate out through the skin. The implications of this hypothesis are: 1) the pheromone, or a precursor of it, will be found in the blood, 2) some internal organ in the body will be the site of pheromone synthesis, 3) some process in the skin or at the level of the skin will be responsible for pheromone release onto the skin surface, and 4) either males produce pheromone with male skin limiting its release, or male skin is fundamentally like female skin, but males do not produce pheromone.…”

Section: Nature and Source Of The Pheromonementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to the mesos and alpha keratin area (common to all snakes), females and estrogen-treated males exhibited a second, intense, lipid-stained area. In the dermis, especially the dermal connective tissue and striated muscle adjacent to the vascular bed of Rauch (1978), but generally spread through the dermis, were cells containing large numbers of lipid-stained droplet inclusions. Untreated males either lacked this staining pattern or showed an extremely reduced amount of staining relative to the females.…”

Section: Secretion Of the Pheromonementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dermal tissue surrounding the vascular network of Rauch (1978) con~ tains abundant lipoprotein receptor. This receptor is not specific for vitellogenin, but appears to bind any lipoprotein and is found in both sexes.…”

Section: Secretion Of the Pheromonementioning

confidence: 99%

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Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 4

Doty¹,

Müller-Schwarze²

1986

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All rights reservedNo part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any fonn or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without written pennission from the Publisher v signals by humans (Doty) concludes the review. Needless to say, this field is more important than a single contribution can convey.As this collection of essays testifies, the exploration of chemical signals has become more firmly embedded in behavioral ecology and sociobiology. Current research has been stimulated by the studies of insect pheromones and is guided by evolutionary concepts.These papers were presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, held at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, from 27-30 July 1985. Our meeting was affiliated with the 10th International Symposium on Comparative Endocrinology, organized by Charles Ralph and held the previous week at Copper Mountain, Colorado. We thank the

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Section: Nature and Source Of The Pheromonementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Nature and Source Of The Pheromonementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Secretion Of the Pheromonementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Secretion Of the Pheromonementioning

confidence: 99%

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Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 4

Doty¹,

Müller-Schwarze²

1986

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“…Further, estrous females whose skin is coated with petroleum jelly are not courted (Noble, 1937). Rauch (1978) has hypothesized that in Thamnophis, only female skin is structured in such a manner so as to allow blood-borne pheromones to be secreted. However, Garstka (1982) showed that male and female skin structure in…”

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confidence: 99%

Seasonal trailing behavior and corticosterone levels in male red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis)

Thinesen¹

2000

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Mechanisms of how red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) travel up to 18 km from summer feeding sites to hibernation dens are not understood.In this study, monthly and seasonal trailing behavior were investigated to determine whether red-sided garter snakes prefer to follow trails of snakes from the same den (den-mates) versus trails made by other conspecifics (non-den-mates). Snakes from five different hibernacula in Manitoba, Canada, were involved in the study. Eighteen were adults and 15 were subadults. Subadult red-sided garter snakes do not return 2 to hibernacula until their second year of life, so their trailing behavior was of interest in learning how they might first find hibernation sites.Since hormonal factors may play a role in trailing behavior, and, since corticosterone (CS) has been associated with migration and homing in other vertebrates, plasma CS concentrations were also investigated monthly and seasonally.A wooden Y-maze with slots for blocking the two arms was used in the study. Overall, the snakes trailed conspecifics in the spring but showed no preferences for trails of den-mates or non-den-mates. When adults' and subadults' behaviors were studied separately, no significant trai.ling tendencies were observed in the adults. Subadults preferred to follow den-mates in the fall and five weeks' post-emergence, corresponding with the time of migration to hibernacula and migration to summer feeding sites, respectively. Two-way analysis including age as a factor showed no age by month interaction; that is, age appeared to have no effect on CS levels during any particular month.

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Descriptive and functional anatomy of the digital vascular system of the tokay, Gekko gecko

Russell

1981

Journal of Morphology

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The vascular system of the digits of the tokay is more complex than has hitherto been suspected and has a configuration which suggests it is intimately involved in the process of adhesion. Distinction can be made between lamellae (expanded scales beneath the proximal portion of the digit) and scansors (elaborations of lamellae that contain a large amount of subdermal material and therefore do not technically qualify as scales). Such a distinction is made on anatomical grounds and can be appreciated only if anatomical investigation is carried out. There are no externally obvious features by which lamellae and scansors can be distinguished, except position. Scansors are found beneath hyperextensible phalanges, whereas lamellae are located more proximally and are not subjected to digital hyperextension during locomotion. Whether this distinction can be applied to other pad-bearing geckos and to anoline lizards remains to be seen. The large sinus beneath the penultimate phalanx appears to govern the pressure within the system; the reticular blood systems of the scansors appear to manifest the pressure changes with respect to the locomotor substratum. Changes in pressure within the system probably permit the overlapping scansors to comply precisely with each other and with the substratum. The presence of a system based on fluid pressure differentials means that scansors are deformable along multiple axes at any one time, thus permitting a high degree of compliance with their entire surroundings. It is probable that changes in pressure within the system promote release from the substratum as well as compliance with and attachment to it. The mechanism of control of the system awaits further investigation. The pattern of the digital vascular complex has been considered in relation to the mode of operation of the digits during locomotion. Distal drainage of the sinus is ideally suited to the activity of hyperextension of the digits. This combination permits sequential pressurizing and depressurizing of the scansors and allows the bond to be created or broken in a gradual fashion rather than in an all-or-none manner. By avoiding sudden shifts in the pattern of dynamic loading (the bond is not broken instantaneously but sequentially), the risk of transverse instability during locomotion is lessened. The increase of loading on the other feet is thus gradual. The importance of this is discussed more fully elsewhere in a consideration of the structure and function of scansors. That the digits of the tokay are hyperextended during horizontal as well as vertical locomotion (Russell, '75, p. 463) can now be rationalized not only from the point of view of protection of the setae but also because of the manner in which the vascular system of the digits functions and is drained.

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Integumentary bloodvascular system in garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis and Thamnophis radix)

Cited by 10 publications

References 6 publications

Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 4

Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 4

Seasonal trailing behavior and corticosterone levels in male red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis)

Descriptive and functional anatomy of the digital vascular system of the tokay, Gekko gecko

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