Snakes : morphology, function, and ecology / edited by David Penning [and five others].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Penning, David, editor.

Series:

Life Sciences Research and Development Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Snakes--Ecology.

Snakes.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (632 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Nova Science Publishers, Inc., [2023]

Summary:

"Snakes: Morphology, Function, and Ecology represents what the author's consider to be significant summaries, contributions, and advancements to snake biology from each of their corners of the profession. Each section was suggested by the author's as a what they viewed as a meaningful contribution to our understanding of how snakes work. In this way, it represents a modern and important update on snake biology. This book contains topics applicable to evolutionary biologists, physiologists, anatomists, behaviorists, psychologists, and sociologists. This reference, assembled by a global array of professional scientists, represents an invaluable resource to students, experienced researchers, and all those interested in understanding more about snakes"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

The Evolution of the Form and Function of the Head of Snakes

Abstract

Introduction

Evolution: Fossils and the First Steps in the Evolution of the Ophidian Skull

The Debate on Ancestral Snake Ecology

Summary

Macroevolution of the Skull and Molecular Phylogenetics

Placement of Snakes within Squamata

Relationships between Serpentes

Ecological Origins and the Evolution of Macrophagy

Core Scolecophidia and Anomalepididae

Amerophidia

Uropeltoidea

Bolyeriidae, Pythonoidea, and Booidea

Caenophidia: Acrochordidae

Caenophidia: Colubroides

Functional Morphology and Biomechanics of the Head

The Evolution of Head Shape in Relation to Locomotion and the Physical Properties of the Medium

Sensory System, Head Shape, and Endocranium

Visual System

Chemical Senses

Balance

Mechanical Senses

Secondary Roles of the Head

Defensive Roles

Predatory Roles

Unnecessary Forms of Beauty

Conclusion and Future Research

Author Contributions

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 2

The Interaction of Tooth Shape and Strike Kinematics in the Role of Prey Capture

Morphology, Performance, Behavior

Snake Feeding

Vertebrate Teeth

Snake Teeth and Fangs

This Chapter

Materials and Methods

Species and Husbandry

Kinematics

Morphology

Integration

Results

Discussion

Strike Kinematics

Tooth Morphology

Ontogeny and Ecology

Conclusion

Major Findings

Future Directions

Chapter 3

How Constriction Works in Snakes: History and Modern Advances

Defining Force-Based Predation Mechanisms

Simple Seizing

Pinioning

Hairpin Loop

Constriction.

Defining a New Type of Constriction

Snake Musculature Used During Constriction

The Mechanisms Underlying How Constriction Works on Prey

Scaling of Constriction Performance

Prey Type and Constriction Performance

Conclusion: A Renewed Phylogenetic Approach to Constriction

Summary of Literature Review

Chapter 4

Antipredator Behavior in Snakes

Cloacal Scent Gland Discharge

Neck and Body Flattening

Tail Vibration and Rattling

Death Feigning

Nuchal Gland-Related Behavior

Chapter 5

The Integrative Biology of Snake Coloration

Mechanisms of Color Production in Snakes

Cellular Determinants of Color

Development of Color and Pattern

Genetics and Genomics of Snake Coloration

Functions of Snake Coloration and Patterning

Non-Signaling Functions

Color Pattern as a Signal or Cue

Snakes as Signalers

Static Versus Dynamic Signals

Honest Versus Dishonest Signals

Snakes as Receivers

Frontiers: Functions of Near-IR and UV Coloration

Evolutionary Forces That Drive Evolution of Snake Coloration

Measuring Selection

Macroevolutionary Patterns of Snake Coloration

The (Macroevolutionary) Problem of Characterizing a Phenotype

Non-Phylogenetically Controlled Tests

Phylogenetically-Explicit Tests

Frontiers: High-Throughput Color Phenotyping and Complex Trait Modeling

Chapter 6

Adaptations to Aquatic Life in Snakes

Aquatic Species Distribution

Freshwater Snakes

Brackish Snakes

Marine Snakes

Notable Ecological Transitions

Freshwater to Marine: Mangroves as Transitional Habitats

Marine to Freshwater: Land-Locked Snakes.

Continuum of Water-Associated Behaviors

Using Feeding Behavior to Structure the Semi-Aquatic to Aquatic Continuum

Dietary Breadth in the Aquatic Environment

Piscivory

Oophagy

Durophagy

The Constraints of the Aquatic Environment on Feeding Behaviors

Forward Strikes

Sit-and-Wait Foraging Underwater

Trapping Multiple Smaller Prey with the Body

Chin and Neck Pinning

Lingual Luring

Caudal Luring

"Death Rolls" or Longitudinal-Axis Spinning

Constriction

Loop and Pull

Envenomation

Sensory Cues

Mechanoreceptors

Phototactic Tails

Morphological/Anatomical Specializations

Low Profile Heads

Microcephaly and Macrocephaly in Sea Snakes

Valved Nostrils

Posterior Sublingual Salt Glands/Cephalic Glands

Body Shape

Shape of the Tail

Thick Skin

Scale Shape and Size

Ridged Teeth

Heart Position

Compact Clutches

Submergence Versus Diving

Submergence as an Inactive Behavior

Submergence in Large Snakes

Diving as an Active Behavior

The Dive Response

Physiological Adaptations to Diving

Cutaneous Respiration

Elevated Blood-Oxygen Stores

Shallow Versus Deep Divers

Marine Deep Divers

Genus: Aipysurus

Marine Shallow Divers

Genus: Acrochordus

Sexual Differences

Nocturnal Diving Behavior

Changes in Diving Due to Upwelling Events

Substrate Crawling in Natricine Snakes

Measures of Diving Performance in Snakes

Diving in the Lab Versus in the Field

Conservation and Aquatic Snakes

Submergence and Diving in a Warming World

Aquatic Invasions

Chapter 7

Drinking Behavior and Water Balance in Insular Cottonmouth Snakes

Insular Ecology of Cottonmouth Snakes on Seahorse Key

Water Sources, Drinking Behavior, and Hygric Physiology of Insular Cottonmouths.

Hygric Ecology and Drinking Behavior

Dehydration and Drinking

Skin Properties and Water Losses

Estimates of Water Budget for Insular Cottonmouths

Conclusion and Perspectives

Chapter 8

Ambush Hunting in Snakes: Behavior, Function, and Diversity

Behavioral Stages of Ambush Hunting

Selecting an Ambush Site: Cues Indicative of Prey Encounter

Selecting an Ambush Site: Microhabitat Structure

Sitting and Waiting

Prey Encounters

Functional Morphology and Biomechanics of Ambush Strikes

Targeting

Why Do Ambush Hunters Miss?

Trade-Off between Strike Accuracy and Velocity?

Sensory Systems and Striking

Skull Functional Morphology and Musculature

Axial Function during Striking in Viperids

Ambush Hunting in Snakes: Diversity

Ambush Hunting in Viperids

Ambush Hunting in Boids and Pythonids

Diversity of Microhabitats Used by Snakes for Ambush Hunting

Terrestrial Ambush Hunting: Crotalus horridus

Arboreal Ambush Hunting: Gloydius shedaoensis

Sand-Dwelling Ambush Hunting in Viperids

Semi-Aquatic Ambush Hunting: Agkistrodon piscivorus

Chapter 9

Snake Foraging Ecology and Digestive Physiology: Integrative Biology and Evolving Paradigms

The Foraging Syndrome Hypothesis for Snakes

A Critique of the Foraging Syndrome Hypothesis for Snakes

The Adaptive Digestion Hypothesis

A Critique of the Adaptive Digestion Hypothesis

A New Interpretation: The Supersizing Hypothesis

Research Needed

Identifying Additional Morphological Traits That Correlate with Foraging Mode

Is Chemical Crypsis Common in Ambush Foraging Species?

Comparative Rates of Weight Loss in Ambush and Active Foragers

Do Ambush and Active Foragers Have Different Bauplans?.

Proportions of Empty Stomachs

Does Foraging Mode Impact Performance of Thermoregulation?

The Impact of Fasting on SMR and SDA

pH of Postabsorptive Reptile Stomachs

Allometry of SDA with Meal Size

The Source of the Triglyceride Tide

Differences in Mitochondrial Aerobic Metabolism Due to Foraging Mode

Chapter 10

Evolutionary and Clinical Implications of the Snake Venom System: Dynamic Diversification

Morphology and Evolution of the Snake Venom Apparatus

What Is the Origin of the Snake Venom System?

How Has the Snake Venom Glands Diversified Since the Single Point of Evolution?

How Has Venom Delivering Dentition Varied in the Advanced Snakes?

The Origin and Evolution of Venom Proteins

Diet as a Driver of Venom Evolution

Streamlining of Venom towards Preferred Prey Items

Snake Venom Evolution beyond Prey Specificity

Natural Resistance to Snake Venom Toxins

Toxin Scavenging Molecule Resistance

Snake Venom Metalloproteinase Inhibitors (SVMPIs)

Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors (PLA2I)

Target Modification Resistance

Three-Finger Toxin Resistance

Steric Hindrance

Charged Residue Substitutions

Conformational Site Changes

Snake Venom C-Type Lectin Resistance

Venom Variation Impact upon Antivenom Efficacy

Therapeutic Potential of Snake Venom Toxins

Chapter 11

Stress Ecology in Snakes

Tools and Metrics for Assessing Stress in Snakes

Glucocorticoids: Corticosterone (CORT)

Elevated Glucocorticoids Do Not Necessarily Mean Snakes Are Stressed

Glucocorticoid Actions in Snakes

Immune Metrics

Overview of Immunity and Stress in Snakes

Quantifying Immune Function

Blood Films and Cell Ratios

Antimicrobial Capacity or Bacterial Killing Assay.

Lysis and Agglutination Assay.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Print version: Penning, David Snakes: Morphology, Function, and Ecology

ISBN:

979-88-86979-21-3