Chemosensory response in stunted prairie rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis viridis  

作　　者：Anthony J. SAVIOLA David CHISZAR Hobart M. SMITH Stephen EMACKESSY 

机构地区：[1]School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA. [2]Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA [3]Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA

出　　处：《Current Zoology》2013年第2期175-179,共5页动物学报（英文版）

摘　　要：Rattlesnakes use chemical stimuli in ambush site selection and for relocation of envenomated prey through atrike-induced chemosensory searching. Shifts in responsiveness to prey chemicals have been documented in many snakes, and often correlate with prey commonly taken as snakes increase in age and size as well as geographical locations of the species. For instance, neonate rattlesnakes that prey primarily on ectotherms responded most strongly to chemical cues of commonly taken lizard prey, whereas adult rattlesnakes that prey primarily on small mammals responded significantly to chemical cues of com- monly taken rodents. In the current study, 11 Prairie Rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis viridis which were classified as large neonates based on measures of snout-vent length （SVL） and body mass, yet chronologically were at or near adulthood, were tested for their responsiveness to chemical extracts of natural and non-natural prey items. Although the snakes had eaten only neonate lab mice （Mus musculus）, they responded significantly more to chemical cues of natural prey items and particularly to chemical cues of prey normally taken by subadults （Peromyscus mice and Sceloporus lizard）. These results suggest that ontogenetic shifts in re- sponsiveness to natural prey chemical cues are innately programmed and are not based on body size or feeding experience in C. v. viridis. This does not imply, however, that growth and experience are without effects, especially with novel prey or rare prey that have experienced recent population expansion [Current Zoology 59 （2）： 175-179, 2013].

关 键 词：Chemical cues CHEMORECEPTION Crotalus viridis viridis Prey choice VOMERONASAL 

分 类 号：Q959.62[生物学—动物学] S963.735[农业科学—水产养殖]