Sexual dimorphism in development and venom production of the insular threatened pit viper Bothrops insularis (Serpentes Viperidae) of Queimada Grande Island, Brazil
Journal of Threatened Taxa
; 2(10): 1177-1184, Sept.2010.
Artigo
em Inglês
| Sec. Est. Saúde SP, SESSP-IBPROD, Sec. Est. Saúde SP, SESSP-IBACERVO
| ID: biblio-1064354
Biblioteca responsável:
BR78.1
Localização: BR78.1
ABSTRACT
Bothrops insularis is a threatened snake endemic to Queimada Grande Island, southern coast of São Paulo, Brazil, and the occurrence of sexual abnormalities in females (females with functional ovaries and rudimentary hemipenis) has been reported in this population. To date there are few data regarding developmental features of this particular species. The aim of this study was to follow some developmental features in specimens maintained in captivity for seven years in the Herpetology Laboratory at Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil. We verified a pronounced sexual dimorphism in development and venom production in the specimens analyzed. In this regard, females showed greater length, mass and amount of venom in comparison to males. Our results suggest a possible niche partitioning between the sexes that reduces (or minimizes) intraspecific disharmonic interactions (eg. competition) on their small living area (Queimada Grande Island). Taken together, our data suggest that males and females probably are divergent in their diets, with females feeding preferentially on endothermic prey (such as migratory birds), while males maintain the juvenile diet (with the major items being ectothermic prey).
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
Bases de dados nacionais
/
Brasil
Base de dados:
Sec. Est. Saúde SP
/
SESSP-IBACERVO
/
SESSP-IBPROD
Assunto principal:
Mordeduras de Serpentes
/
Caracteres Sexuais
Limite:
Animais
País/Região como assunto:
América do Sul
/
Brasil
Idioma:
Inglês
Revista:
Journal of Threatened Taxa
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Artigo
Instituição/País de afiliação:
Instituto Butantan/BR