Spatial Variation in Predation Attempts on Artificial Snakes in a Fire-Disturbed Tallgrass Prairie

Wilgers, Dustin J.; Horne, Eva A.

doi:10.1894/0038-4909(2007)52[263:svipao]2.0.co;2

Cited by 37 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Artificial snakes were successfully used in other studies, for example Wilgers & Horne (2007) investigated predation of artificial snakes in burned environments, Brodie & Janzen (1995) observed avoidance by avian predators of bicolor ringed pattern in snakes and Guimarães & Sawaya (2011) also tested the predation of triangular head shape snakes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, the fact that artificial models are static may contribute to high incidences of attacks since there was no defensive behavior to inhibit them. Also aerial predators identify their prey visually by motion, so stationary artificial snakes would decrease detection by these predators (Wilgers & Horne 2007), reducing the effect of such bias.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Artificial models have been used in several studies as a tool to test anti-predation responses, for example fishes (Kelley & Magurran 2003), amphibians (Saporito et al 2007), birds (Gottfried 1979, Gottfried et al 1985, lizards (Leal & Rodriguez-Robles 1997), mammals (Barros et al 2002, Vignieri et al 2010) and particularly snakes (Brodie & Janzen 1995, Wilgers & Horne 2007, Niskanen & Mappes 2005, Guimarães & Sawaya 2011. Thus, using artificial snakes for studies with mimetic behavior and natural enemies' response seems to be an interesting, valid and effective method.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Head triangulation as anti-predatory mechanism in snakes

et al. 2012

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triangulation as anti-predatory mechanism in snakes. Biota Neotrop. 12(3): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v12n3/en/ abstract?short-communication+bn01912032012Abstract: Anti-predator mechanisms in snakes are diverse and complex, including mimetic behavior. Some snakes triangulate their head, probably mimicking other more dangerous snakes. However, there is a lack of studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of this behavior with natural predators. The aim of this study was to verify, using artificial snakes, if snakes with triangular heads are less susceptible to attack by predators, and if predatory attack is targeted to the head of serpents. Artificial snakes were systematically arranged on a road border. The rate of attacked models was 48.71%. Number of attacks on models with rounded head was significantly higher than in models with triangular head. There was a significant difference between the places of attack on the snakes in relation to different head shapes. Therefore, snakes that have head triangulation may be a less frequent target of attacks by predators than those without such behavior. Keywords: artificial models, defensive behavior, mimicry, predation rate, reptiles. Resumo: Mecanismos anti-predação em serpentes são diversos e complexos, incluindo comportamentos miméticos. Algumas serpentes triangulam a cabeça, possivelmente mimetizando outras serpentes mais perigosas. No entanto, são escassos os estudos demonstrando a eficiência deste comportamento frente a predadores naturais. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar, utilizando serpentes artificiais, se os indivíduos com cabeça triangular são menos suscetíveis ao ataque de predadores e, se o ataque predatório é direcionado à cabeça das serpentes. Serpentes artificiais foram dispostas sistematicamente na margem de uma estrada. A taxa de modelos atacados foi 48,71%. O número de ataques em modelos de cabeça arredondada foi significativamente maior do que nos modelos com cabeça triangular. Houve diferença significativa entre as partes atacadas nas serpentes quando comparados aos diferentes formatos de cabeça. Portanto, as serpentes que possuem triangulação da cabeça podem ser um alvo menos frequente de ataques por predadores do que as que não possuem esse tipo de comportamento. Palavras-chave: modelos artificiais, comportamento defensivo, mimetismo, taxa de predação, répteis. Biota Neotrop., vol. 12, no. 3 spatial homogeneity of the surrounding vegetation. The models were exposed for 17 hours, overnight, and collected the next morning. In field, each model was analyzed for attack presence, number of attacks, part of the model that suffered the attack (head or other parts of the body) and type of attack. Data analysis was performed in the program Past (Hammer et al. 2001) using Chi-square test (α = 0.05) to compare proportion of attacks on triangular and round head snakes models and proportion of attacks in the head and body between the two kinds of snake models. ResultsFrom the 80 snake models, one of each treatment was excluded from analysis bec...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Head triangulation as anti-predatory mechanism in snakes

et al. 2012

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“…Brodie 1993, Hinman et al 1997, Pfennig et al 2001. In fact, despite the intense search and low density of vegetal cover, the removed models were not found, possibly removed by birds of prey (Wilgers & Horne 2007). The human disturbance in study site may be a factor which contributes for decreasing of the birds' density, a important predators of snakes (Marzluff 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

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

et al. 2013

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Abstract:The loss and modification of habitats by humans have been considered key factors in the decline of diversity of species worldwide. However, the real effect caused by these disturbances on the biota is still poorly understood. The assessment of the changes in the network of interspecific interactions, such as predation rates on the native fauna, can be an important tool to diagnose the functionality of disturbed ecosystems. In this study we evaluate the predation rate on snakes in coastal grasslands in South America under human influence. Predation rate of artificial snakes, unlike that obtained in other studies, was lower in human-altered areas than preserved ones. Our findings may be due to a reduction in the abundance and/or richness of species of native predators in more disturbed areas. Resumo: A perda e modificação de habitats por seres humanos têm sido consideradas fatores chave no declínio da diversidade de espécies em todo o mundo. No entanto, o efeito real causado por estes distúrbios sobre a biota ainda é pouco compreendido. A avaliação das mudanças na rede de interações interespecíficas, como as taxas de predação sobre a fauna nativa, pode ser uma importante ferramenta para diagnosticar a funcionalidade dos ecossistemas perturbados. Neste estudo foi avaliada a taxa de predação de serpentes em campos costeiros na América do Sul sob a influência humana. A taxa de predação de serpentes artificiais, ao contrário do que foi observado em outros estudos, foi menor em áreas antropizadas do que em áreas preservadas. Esse resultado pode ser devido a uma redução na abundância e/ou riqueza de espécies de predadores nativos nas áreas perturbadas. Palavras-chave: répteis, dunas costeiras, impacto humano, predação, Brasil.

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“…(MacCulloch and Bider, 1975;Palis, 1997;Semlitsch, 2008;Sinsch, 1988). 2011; Perry et al, 2009;Sun et al, 2001;Wilgers and Horne, 2007). …”

Section: 따라서 산림의 수직적 구조와 임상 등의 환경 요소가 개 체군의 분포에 미치는 영향과 이들 간의 상호작용을 이해mentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Amphibian and Reptile Populations in a Coniferous Plantation and a Deciduous Forest

Park¹,

Son²,

Hwang³

et al. 2014

Journal of Korean Forest Society

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This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of amphibian and reptile (herpetofauna) populations in a coniferous plantation and a deciduous forest from July to September 2013 in national forest, Hongcheon, Gangwon province, Korea. Coverage of understory, mid-story and overstory were more developed in a deciduous forest. We used line transect sampling method on a total of 4 transect lines, 2 lines in each forest type. Fifty two individuals of 4 amphibian species and 11 individuals of 3 reptile species were recorded. Mean observed number of herpetofauna species, individuals and species diversity index (H') were not significantly different between coniferous plantation and deciduous forest. This result related to ecological characteristics of herpetofauna. Habitats of herpetofauna were influenced on not only vertical structure of forests, but also climatic variables, thermoregulation and prey availability. The long-term monitoring and research on habitat preference and seasonal ecological traits of herpetofauna would be needed for conservation and management of herpetofauna in forest areas.

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Spatial Variation in Predation Attempts on Artificial Snakes in a Fire-Disturbed Tallgrass Prairie

Cited by 37 publications

References 21 publications

Head triangulation as anti-predatory mechanism in snakes

Head triangulation as anti-predatory mechanism in snakes

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

Characteristics of Amphibian and Reptile Populations in a Coniferous Plantation and a Deciduous Forest

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