Naslov
Fast and furious : effects of body size on strike performance in an arboreal viper Trimeresurus (Cryptelytrops) albolabris

Autori
Herrel, Anthony ; Huyghe, Katleen ; Oković, Patricija ; Lisičić, Duje ; Tadić, Zoran

Izvornik
Journal of experimental zoology part a-ecological genetics and physiology (1932-5223) 315 (2011), 1; 22-29

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
snake; defensive strike; performance

Sažetak
Body size has a pervasive effect on animal functioning and life history with size dependent changes in performance and physiology throughout ontogeny being common in many ectothermic vertebrates. However, as selection on juvenile life history stages is strong, juveniles often offset the disadvantages of small body size by disproportionate levels of performance. Here, we investigate size-related changes in defensive strike performance in an arboreal pit viper, Trimerusurus (Cryptelytrops) albolabris. Our data show a significant negative allometry in the scaling of head dimensions and head mass to body mass. However, strike velocity and strike distance are independent of body mass, with juveniles in our sample striking as fast and as far as adults. In contrast to model predictions suggesting that acceleration capacity should decrease with increasing body mass, acceleration capacity increases with snake body mass. Our results suggest that this is the result of a negative allometric scaling of head mass combined with an isometric scaling of the dorsal epaxial musculature. Finally, our data show a significant sexual dimorphism in body size and strike velocity with females being heavier and striking faster independent of the dimorphism in body size.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Psihologija

POVEZANOST RADA