PMID: 11327166May 1, 2001Paper

Bumpus in the snake den: effects of sex, size, and body condition on mortality of red-sided garter snakes

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
R ShineR T Mason

Abstract

Huge breeding aggregations of red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) at overwintering dens in Manitoba provide a unique opportunity to identify sources of mortality and to clarify factors that influence a snake's vulnerability to these factors. Comparisons of sexes, body sizes, and body condition of more than 1000 dead snakes versus live animals sampled at the same time reveal significant biases. Three primary sources of mortality were identified. Predation by crows, Corvus brachyrhynchos (590 snakes killed), was focussed mostly on small snakes of both sexes. Crows generally removed the snake's liver and left the carcass, but very small snakes were sometimes brought back to the nest. Suffocation beneath massive piles of other snakes within the den (301 dead animals) involved mostly small males and (to a lesser extent) large females; snakes in poor body condition were particularly vulnerable. Many emaciated snakes (n = 142, mostly females) also died without overt injuries, probably due to depleted energy reserves. These biases in vulnerability are readily interpretable from information on behavioral ecology of the snakes. For example, sex biases in mortality reflect differences in postemergence behavior and loc...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1993·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·R T Mason
Mar 15, 2000·Animal Behaviour·R ShineR T Mason
Oct 1, 1996·Oecologia·Christoph Rohner, Charles J Krebs
Jul 1, 1993·Oecologia·Thomas Madsen, Richard Shine
Aug 1, 1990·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Bruce C Jayne, Albert F Bennett
Dec 1, 1998·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Fredric J Janzen, Hal S Stern
Oct 1, 1998·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Charles R Brown, Mary Bomberger Brown
Feb 1, 1993·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Edmund D Brodie

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 15, 2013·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Christopher R FriesenPatricia L R Brennan
Nov 20, 2001·Nature·R ShineR T Mason
Apr 15, 2006·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Göran Arnqvist
Sep 15, 2005·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Comparative Experimental Biology·Fabien AubretStéphanie Maumelat
Jul 9, 2013·Zoological Science·Luís M RosalinoLuciano M Verdade
Oct 22, 2015·Ecology and Evolution·Patrick I ChiyoDavid K Korir
Apr 7, 2017·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Nicky RollingsChristopher R Friesen
Oct 17, 2018·Diseases of Aquatic Organisms·Samantha L Rumschlag, Michelle D Boone
Nov 19, 2010·The Journal of Animal Ecology·John G EwenDoug P Armstrong
Jan 20, 2021·Biology Letters·Nathan W Burke, Gregory I Holwell
May 9, 2015·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Christopher R FriesenRobert T Mason
Dec 22, 2005·Journal of Comparative Psychology·Jesús A Rivas, Gordon M Burghardt
Mar 14, 2009·Hormones and Behavior·Maria ThakerDiana K Hews
Aug 6, 2021·The Journal of Heredity·Eric J GangloffAnne M Bronikowski

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.