Foraging by the Omnivorous LizardPodarcis lilfordi: Effects of Nectivory in an Ancestrally Insectivorous Active Forager

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Cooper ◽  
Valentín Pérez-Mellado ◽  
Dror Hawlena
Keyword(s):  
Active Forager

Flux hydriques et métabolisme énergétique dans un peuplement de Lacertidés des îles Kerkennah (Tunisie)

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Vernet ◽  
Claude Grenot ◽  
Saïd Nouira
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Doubly Labeled Water ◽  
Daily Energy Expenditure ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Semiarid Environment ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
Active Forager

Water flux and daily energy expenditure were measured with doubly labeled water (3HH18O) in two insectivorous sympatric species of Lacertidae of Kerkennah islands (Tunisia), Eremias olivieri (mean body mass: 1.1 g) and Acanthodactylus pardalis (4.5 g) in a semiarid environment. Water turnover and field metabolic rate of Eremias olivieri (174 μL H2O g−1 d−1 and 250 J g−1 d−1) were, respectively, 2.5 and 5 times higher than those of Acanthodactylus pardalis (70 μL H2O g−1 d−1 and 52 J g−1 d−1). The water turnover of Eremias olivieri is one of the highest known among insectivorous lizards, and the daily energy expenditure of Acanthodactylus pardalis one of the lowest. The most plausible explanations are the differences in the size of the prey eaten by each species at this time of the season and in the duration of daily activity; the daily activity of Acanthodactylus pardalis is short (4.5 h d−1) although it is a sit-and-wait predator, whereas Eremias olivieri is active regularly every day for a longer period (7.5 h d−1) although it is an active forager. The high values of water turnover in Eremias olivieri suggest that food is not the only source of water for lizards in this particular insular environment.

Zamenis scalaris prefers abandoned citrus orchards in Eastern Spain. Ecological insights from a radio-tracking survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Martinez-Freiria ◽  
Marcial Lorenzo ◽  
Miguel Lizana
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Citrus Orchard ◽  
Subsequent Increase ◽  
Citrus Orchards ◽  
Active Forager ◽  
One Year

Abstract Zamenis scalaris is a generalist active forager Mediterranean snake for which knowledge on spatial ecology is very limited. We report insights into the spatial and temporal patterns, and habitat use of four snakes, obtained through one-year radio-tracking monitoring in a citrus orchard landscape, in Eastern Iberia. Snakes showed a highly secretive behaviour, remaining hidden most of the annual cycle (>96% of records). Annual home ranges and movements were reduced in contrast to the expected energetic requirements of the species. Despite a similar pattern of non-activity during winter and a subsequent increase of movement rate and home range size in spring, each snake adopted a distinct spatial behaviour in summer and autumn. Abandoned citrus orchards and accessory constructions were the most frequent habitats selected by snakes, offering abundant prey and shelter. These resources are likely playing a crucial role in the spatial ecology of Z. scalaris.

A new species of pitviper of the genus Popeia (Squamata: Viperidae) from Pulau Tioman, Pahang, West Malaysia

Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1305 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. LEE GRISMER ◽  
JESSE L. GRISMER ◽  
JIMMY A. MCGUIRE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Color Pattern ◽  
Thin Body ◽  
Malay Peninsula ◽  
Body Proportions ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Active Forager ◽  
A New Species

We describe a new species of pitviper Popeia buniana from Pulau Tioman, Pahang State, West Malaysia based on it having unique aspects of scalation, body proportions, and color pattern. Its long, thin body is in contrast with the shorter, more robust bodies of other arboreal pitvipers, suggesting it may be an active forager rather than an ambush feeder. Its close relationship to P. barati and P. sabahi of Sumatra and Borneo, respectively, rather than with species of the adjacent Malay Peninsula is in accord with biogeographic patterns of other flora and fauna endemic to the islands of the Outer Arc of the Seribuat Archipelago.

Prey chemical discrimination by a diploglossine lizard, the giant Hispaniolan galliwasp (Celestus warreni)

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Cooper ◽  
Kelly Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Composite Index ◽  
Response Strength ◽  
Tongue Flick ◽  
Foraging Mode ◽  
Plant Chemical ◽  
Prey Chemicals ◽  
Chemical Discrimination ◽  
Active Forager ◽  
Tongue Flicking ◽  
And Control

AbstractPrey chemical discrimination, the ability to respond differentially to prey chemicals and control stimuli, enables many squamate reptiles to locate and identify prey using chemical cues sampled by tongue-flicking and analyzed by vomerolfaction. Among lizards this ability is limited to species that are active foragers having insectivorous/carnivorous diets and to omnivores and herbivores, even those derived from ancestral ambush foragers. We experimentally studied responses by hatchlings of giant Hispaniolan galliwasps, Celestus warreni, which appear to have a strict animal diet and are putatively active foragers, to prey chemicals and control substances. More individuals tongue-flicked in the cricket condition than the water condition. Response strength indicated by the tongue-flick attack score, a composite index of response strength based on number of tongue-flicks, biting (one lizard) and latency to bite, was greater in response to cricket stimuli than plant (lettuce) stimuli, cologne or distilled water. Thus, the galliwasps exhibited prey chemical discrimination. Celestus warreni, the first representative of Diploglossinae to be tested, exhibits chemosensory behavior similar to that of other anguids. Although no quantitative data on foraging mode are available, another diploglossine, Diploglossus vittatus, is an active forager. The limitation of prey chemical discrimination to active foragers among lizards with animal diets lend further support to the likelihood that C. warreni is an active forager. The galliwasps did not exhibit plant chemical discrimination.

scholarly journals Diet and foraging of the endemic lizard Cnemidophorus littoralis (Squamata, Teiidae) in the restinga de Jurubatiba, Macaé, RJ

2006 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 803-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Menezes ◽  
V. C. Amaral ◽  
M. V. Sluys ◽  
C. F. D. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Morphological Variables ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Active Forager ◽  
Hemidactylus Mabouia ◽  
Prey Items

We investigated the diet and foraging of the endemic teiid lizard Cnemidophorus littoralis in a restinga habitat in Jurubatiba, Macaé - RJ. The stomach contents were removed, analyzed and identified to the Order level. There was no relationship between C. littoralis morphological variables and number, length or volume of preys. Termites (48.7%) and larvae (35.5%) were the most important prey items which occurred in the examined lizards´ stomachs. The diet did not differ between males and females. Cnemidophorus littoralis is an active forager and predominantly consumes relatively sedentary prey or prey that is aggregated in the environment. We also found an intact and undigested hatchling of the crepuscular/nocturnal gekkonid lizard Hemidactylus mabouia in the stomach of an adult male of C. littoralis, which indicates that C. littoralis is a potential source of mortality for individuals of H. mabouia in the restinga de Jurubatiba.

scholarly journals Food habits of Rhinella proboscidea (Anura: Bufonidae) in terra firme forests of central Amazonia

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
Alice Cristina Rodrigues Borges ◽  
Talitha Ferreira dos Santos ◽  
Luciana Frazão ◽  
Sergio Marques-Souza ◽  
Marcelo Menin
Keyword(s):  
Prey Item ◽  
Food Habits ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Niche Breadth ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Terra Firme ◽  
Central Amazonia ◽  
Active Forager ◽  
Prey Items

Food habits of Rhinella proboscidea (Anura: Bufonidae) in terra frme forests of central Amazonia. Anuran species are considered generalist and opportunist feeders. However, some species have dietary specializations. Here we describe the diet composition of Rhinella proboscidea based on the stomach content of 29 individuals captured in terra frme forests in Manaus and São Sebastião do Uatumã, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Each prey item was measured and identifed to Order, Suborder or Family; ants were identifed to Genus. We determined and tested for differences in the trophic niche breadth and the relationships between the frog size and the volume of the largest prey item. We recorded 1614 prey items of 44 taxa. Hymenoptera was the most abundant Order followed by Isoptera, Acari, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Araneae, Hemiptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, and Collembola. Formicidae comprised 46.56% of the all stomach items and was represented by six subfamilies and 22 genera. Additionally, we found 80 nematodes in a total of 18 frogs. There was a signifcant difference in the trophic niche breadths of the study areas, and a positive relationship between the toad size and volume of the largest prey item consumed. Rhinella proboscidea feeds on a variety of invertebrates, with ants, termites, and mites being the most abundant; this suggests that the toad is an active forager. The most common subfamily was Myrmicinae primarily represented by Crematogaster and Atta. Differences in trophic niche breadths of the study areas may be related to seasonal differences in the diet composition or local factors.

scholarly journals Does foraging mode affect metabolic responses to feeding? A study of pygopodid lizards

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 618-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Wall ◽  
Michael B. Thompson ◽  
Richard Shine
Keyword(s):  
Specific Dynamic Action ◽  
Metabolic Responses ◽  
Metabolic Rates ◽  
Energetic Costs ◽  
Foraging Mode ◽  
Organismal Biology ◽  
Lower Standard ◽  
The Common ◽  
Active Forager ◽  
Ambush Foraging

Abstract Foraging mode (ambush vs. active) profoundly affects many aspects of organismal biology, including metabolic rates and their relationship with food intake. Previous studies on snakes suggest that ambushers tend to have lower standard metabolic rates (SMR) and higher energetic costs of digestion and assimilation of prey (specific dynamic action, or SDA) than do active foragers. However, phylogenetic considerations may be at least partly responsible for such patterns, as foraging mode is strongly conserved evolutionarily and most SDA studies have focused on species from only two lineages of ambush foragers (pythonid and viperid snakes) and one lineage of active foragers (colubrid snakes). We sought to deconfound the effects of phylogeny and foraging mode, investigating SMR and SDA in two closely related pygopodid lizards, the common scaly-foot Pygopus lepidopodus (active forager) and Burton’s legless lizard Lialis burtonis (ambush forager). Consistent with the pattern seen in snakes, L. burtonis exhibits a significantly lower SMR and a higher SDA than does P. lepidopodus. The magnitude of SDA in L. burtonis is comparable to that of some pythons and vipers, providing yet more evidence for the remarkable convergence between this species and ambush-foraging snakes.

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