New defensive behaviour of the false coral snake Oxyrhopus rhombifer Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) in south-eastern Brazil

By

Lopes De Assis, Clodoaldo
José Magalhães Guedes, Jhonny
Miriam Gomes De Jesus, Letizia
Neves Feio, Renato

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020-3-19

Original Publication

Neotropical Biology and Conservation

Volume

15

Series / Issue

Issue: 1

Pages

71--76

Subjects

Anti-predator mechanisms , aposematic colouration , Atlantic forest , coloração aposemática , Mata Atlântica , Mecanismo anti-predação , Squamata

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Brazil Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.15.e48564

 

Abstract

Anti-predator mechanisms are essential for species survival and the description of defensive behaviour may improve our understanding about the ecology, biology and evolution of species. Herein, we describe new anti-predator behaviour for the False Coral Snake Oxyrhopus rhombifer in south-eastern Brazil, through direct observation of a juvenile specimen under laboratory settings. We recorded 10 types of defensive behaviour, seven of which are new records for this species and one of them (body vibration) is the first report for Brazilian snakes. Such behaviour may be explained by ontogeny or physical constraints. We highlight that O. rhombifer may be capable of recognising different threat levels imposed by predators and, accordingly, adjusting its defensive behaviour.