Cranial adaptations for feeding on snails in species of Sibynomorphus (Dipsadidae: Dipsadinae)

Autor(es)

dos Santos, Marina Meireles ; da Silva, Fernanda Magalhaes ; Hingst-Zaher, Erika ; Machado, Fabio Andrade ; Zaher, Hussam El Dine ; da Costa Prudente, Ana Lucia

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ZOOLOGY; v. 120, p. 24-30, FEB 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 5

Resumo

Neotropical ``goo-eating{''} dipsadine snakes display a set of morphological and histo-chemical adaptations linked to the capture of their soft-bodied, viscous invertebrate prey. Within this group, species from the genus Sibynomorphus feed chiefly on snails and slugs. Here, we analyzed a series of skull and mandible characters in S. mikanii, S. neuwiedi and S. turgidus using geometric morphometrics, with the aim of assessing morphological adaptations related to slug- and snail-feeding in that genus. We further compared the results with Leptodeira annulata, a species that feeds on vertebrates. To evaluate shape differences of the skull and mandible between species we performed a multivariate analysis of variance and a linear discriminant analysis. Our results show that the narrow, elongate skull in S. mikanii may help with slug ingestion, while asymmetry in teeth number and mandibular shape in S. neuwiedi and S. turgidus are likely related to snail feeding. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 11/21674-4 - Implicações evolutivas da integração morfológica do crânio e mandíbula em Caniformia (Carnivora; Mammalia)
• Beneficiário: Fábio de Andrade Machado
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 11/50206-9 - Origem e evolução das serpentes e a sua diversificação na região neotropical: uma abordagem multidisciplinar
• Beneficiário: Hussam El Dine Zaher
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Temático