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New dietary data from Compsophis and Alluaudina species (Squamata: Lamprophiidae: Pseudoxyrhophiinae), and implications for their dietary complexity and evolution.
- Source :
- Journal of Natural History; Oct2018, Vol. 52 Issue 39/40, p2497-2510, 14p
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Basic ecological data are missing from the majority of Madagascar's snakes. We here report seven dietary records from two species of the genus Compsophis and one record from Alluaudina bellyi. Among these are the first records of reptile predation by the former genus, suggesting they are not as strictly anurophagous as heretofore thought. We also report the consumption of a poison frog (Mantella) by a Compsophis, the second reported instance of predation of a member of this genus by a snake, and discuss possible implications for resistance to their alkaloid toxins. The consumption of a small leaf-litter dwelling frog (Stumpffia sp.) by A. bellyi is the first ever diet record for any Alluaudina. We discuss the possible role of niche partitioning between terrestrial and arboreal prey as one of the primary axes of initial divergence between the sister genera Alluaudina and Compsophis, and suggest that differences in their diet may be evident from their dentition, warranting further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- ENVIRONMENTAL databases
DENDROBATIDAE
SNAKES
OVIPARITY
ALKALOIDS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00222933
- Volume :
- 52
- Issue :
- 39/40
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Natural History
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 133400022
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2018.1543732