scholarly journals Coronella austriaca (smooth snake) - mortality after prey ingestion

2020 ◽  
pp. 32-33
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Kolanek
Keyword(s):  
Coronella Austriaca

scholarly journals Sex chromosome diversification in the smooth snake Coronella austriaca (Reptilia, Serpentes)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Marcello Mezzasalma ◽  
Gaetano Odierna
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
W Chromosome ◽  
Geographical Pattern ◽  
Karyological Study ◽  
Genetic Lineages ◽  
Staining Methods ◽  
Sex Chromosome System ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Coronella Austriaca

The smooth snake Coronella austriaca is a widespread Palearctic colubrid species. The species has been the subject of several molecular and phylogeographic studies which highlighted the occurrence of distinct genetic lineages in different areas of the species distribution, but scarce cytogenetic data are currently available on the species. In this paper we present a molecular and karyological study performed with several banding, staining methods and NOR-FISH on samples of C. austriaca from different geographical areas (Italy and Greece) of the species distribution. The molecular and phylogenetic analysis unambiguously placed the studied samples in different clades with a clear geographical pattern. The karyotype of the two female samples studied was composed of 2n = 36 chromosomes with 16 macro- and 20 microchromosomes and a mix of plesiomorphic and derivate chromosome features. All macrochromosomes were biarmed with the exception of pair 5 that was telocentric. NORs were detected on a microchromosome pair. In both females, the pair 4 was heteromorphic (and completely heterochromatic after C-banding in the Italian female), representing the first report of a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system with female heterogamety in C. austriaca. In addition, the W chromosome showed a different morphology between the two female studied (submetacentric and subtelocentric), highlighting the occurrence of a chromosomal diversification among distinct geographical areas of the species distribution and further supporting that the species contains different diverging evolutionary clades.

Cryptic diversity in the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca)

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Jablonski ◽  
Zoltán T. Nagy ◽  
Aziz Avcı ◽  
Kurtuluş Olgun ◽  
Oleg V. Kukushkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Biogeographic Pattern ◽  
Western Palearctic ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Morphological Variants ◽  
Glacial Periods ◽  
Coronella Austriaca ◽  
Evolutionary Lineages

Abstract The smooth snake, Coronella austriaca, is a common snake species widespread in the Western Palearctic region. It does not form conspicuous morphological variants and, although several evolutionary lineages have been distinguished based on the analyses of the mitochondrial DNA sequences, only two subspecies with very limited distribution have been traditionally recognized. Here we present an mtDNA phylogeography of the species using geographically extended sampling while incorporating biogeographically important areas that have not been analyzed before, such as Anatolia, Crimea, and Iran. We find that the smooth snake comprises 14 distinct phylogenetic clades with unclear mutual relationships, characterized by complex genetic structure and relatively deep divergences; some of them presumably of Miocene origin. In general, the biogeographic pattern is similar to other Western Palearctic reptiles and illustrates the importance of the main European peninsulas as well as the Anatolian mountains, Caucasus, and Alborz Mts. in Iran for the evolution of the present-day diversity. Considerable genetic structure present in the smooth snake populations within these large areas indicates the existence of several regional Plio-Pleistocene refugia that served as reservoirs for dispersal and population expansions after the glacial periods. The current taxonomy of C. austriaca does not reflect the rich genetic diversity, deep divergences, and overall evolutionary history revealed in our study and requires a thorough revision. This will only be possible with an even higher-resolution sampling and integrative approach, combining analyses of multiple genetic loci with morphology, and possibly other aspects of the smooth snake biology.

Antipredatory behaviour of a mountain lizard towards the chemical cues of its predatory snakes

Behaviour ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (10-12) ◽  
pp. 817-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaida Ortega ◽  
Abraham Mencía ◽  
Valentín Pérez-Mellado
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Slow Motion ◽  
Antipredator Behaviour ◽  
Behavioural Pattern ◽  
Potential Predator ◽  
Snake Species ◽  
Antipredatory Behaviour ◽  
Antipredatory Response ◽  
Natrix Maura ◽  
Coronella Austriaca

Abstract The ability to early detect a potential predator is essential for survival. The potential of Iberolacerta cyreni lizards to discriminate between chemical cues of their two predatory snakes Coronella austriaca (a non-venomous active-hunter saurophagous specialist) and Vipera latastei (a venomous sit-and-wait generalist) was evaluated herein. A third snake species, Natrix maura, which does not prey on lizards, was used as a pungent control. Thus, the behaviour of I. cyreni was studied regarding four treatments: (1) C. austriaca scent, (2) V. latastei scent, (3) N. maura scent and (4) odourless control. Lizards showed antipredator behaviour (such as slow-motion and tail waving) to C. austriaca and V. latastei chemicals. The antipredatory response was similar for both predators. This ability to react with an intensive behavioural pattern to the chemical cues of their predatory snakes may prevent lizards from being detected, and, if detected, dissuade the predator from beginning a pursuit.

scholarly journals Age-Dependent Utilization of Shelters and Habitat in Two Reptile Species with Contrasting Intraspecific Interactions

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 995
Author(s):  
Kolanek ◽  
Bury ◽  
Turniak ◽  
Szymanowski
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intraspecific Interactions ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Active Protection ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
Anguis Fragilis ◽  
Coronella Austriaca ◽  
Effective Conservation

Reptiles undergo worldwide decline driven mostly by habitat change. Detailed recognition of factors underlying spatial structure and habitat utilization is therefore a prerequisite of effective conservation of this group. While the body of data on spatial ecology of reptiles is rapidly growing, studies on social factors remain still underrepresented. We studied age-specific patterns of shelter use, range size, and habitat preferences in the context of intraspecific interactions in the smooth snake Coronella austriaca—known to exhibit intraspecific predation—and the limbless lizard slow worm Anguis fragilis—with no such behavior observed. Despite smaller availability of preferred microhabitats, juveniles of smooth snakes occupied habitat and shelters located at the edge of the population range that did not overlap with adults. No such pattern was observed in the slow worm. Our study indicates that intraspecific interactions affect the spatial ecology of squamates. Passive and active protection of habitat must include wide buffers to preserve the poorly detectable young fraction of the population.

Age, growth and sex determination in a population of smooth snakes, Coronella austriaca in southern England

2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Daily Growth ◽  
Southern England ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Coronella Austriaca

AbstractBetween 1992-2001 a study of individually marked smooth snakes Coronella austriaca was done in Wareham Forest, southern England. The sex of individual snakes was determined using the relationship between tail length and snout-vent length, and the presence/absence of a hemi-penes swelling at the base of the tail. Males had longer tails than females at all ages/sizes and the difference between the sexes increased with increasing snout-vent length. Using multiple captures of known individuals over many years, size related daily growth rates were determined for each sex that enabled growth curves to be produced. The age structure of the population was determined for each complete year of the study. Very few young small snakes were captured each year. Of all the females who were potentially able to breed, only the oldest, and therefore largest, did so.

Field Identification of the Sex of the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca Laurenti)

1988 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. van Gelder ◽  
J. H. J. Olders ◽  
L. A. J. M. Mertens ◽  
H. L. M. Kersten
Keyword(s):  
Field Identification ◽  
Coronella Austriaca

scholarly journals Functional zoning of the Sanarsky State Nature Complex Reserve of the Chelyabinsk region by the method of decoding aerial photographs

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 79-88
Author(s):  
A.R. Sibirkina ◽  
◽  
L.V. Trofimova ◽  
D.S. Lushnikov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Functional Zoning ◽  
The Family ◽  
Functional Zones ◽  
Aquila Heliaca ◽  
Chelyabinsk Region ◽  
Negative Factors ◽  
Coronella Austriaca

The article provides data on the Sanarsky nature reserve in the Chelyabinsk region. A map-diagram for the functional zoning of the reserve is proposed. It provides the information on the negative factors affecting the reserve such as forest fires, commercial and hobby hunting, the Chelyabinsk — Magnitogorsk motorway which divides the territory of the reserve into two parts. The analysis of the probable habitat of 10 vertebrate species has been carried out. The article presents a biological description and ecology features of animals listed in the Red Book and living on the territory of the reserve, including one species of amphibians — Siberian salamander (Salamandrella keyserlingii Dybowski, 1870), one species of snakes of the genus Copperheads, the family of snakes — smooth snake (Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768), four species of birds, two of the hawk family — the Pale Harrier (Circus macrourus SG Gmelin, 1770) and the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca Savigny, 1809), the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos L., 1758) — the largest eagle and the Owl (Bubo bubo L., 1758) from the owl family; two species from the order bats — Brandt’s Moth (Myotis brandtii Eversmann, 1845) and Woodbat (Pipistrellus nathusii Keyserling & Blasius, 1839); one species of the Lagomorph family — the Steppe pika (Ochotona pusilla) and one species from the Jerboa family — the Great Jerboa (Allactaga major Kerr, 1792). It has been established that within the reserve three functional zones can be distinguished such as a recreation zone, an economic zone, a specially protected zone. On this basis, a map-diagram of the functional zoning of the Sanarsky State Natural Complex Reserve has been developed.

scholarly journals Biogeography and evolution of the Smooth snake Coronella austriaca (Serpentes: Colubridae) in the Iberian Peninsula: evidence for Messinian refuges and Pleistocenic range expansions

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
◽  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Continuous Distribution ◽  
Distribution Range ◽  
Range Shifts ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Climatic Fluctuations ◽  
Environmental Instability ◽  
Refugia Within Refugia ◽  
Complex Scenario ◽  
Coronella Austriaca

Abstract The European Smooth snake, Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768, presents a continuous distribution range across central and northern Europe, with isolated fragmented populations in the southern European peninsulas. Up to 814 bp of mitochondrial DNA from 34 specimens were used to determine the phylogeny and biogeography of this species within the Iberian Peninsula. The results indicate that Coronella austriaca presents at least three mtDNA lineages in Iberia that may have originated during the Messinian Salinity Crisis, 5.3-5.9 Ma. Posterior range shifts within the independent clades were facilitated by climatic fluctuations that occurred during the Pleistocene Ice Ages and, in the Iberian Peninsula, created a complex scenario of refugia-within-refugia. The formation of old allopatric lineages during the Messinian followed by shifts in the distribution range during the Pleistocene coincide with what has been reported for other Iberian reptiles and amphibians and highlights the importance of the Southern European Peninsulas as “old” hotspots of biodiversity. Our results also support the more recent view that the accentuated environmental instability occurred during the Pleistocene did not lead to speciation in many animal groups. The subspecific status of C. a. acutirostris is confirmed by the mtDNA analyses.

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