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Martinez MG, Ducatti C, Silva ET, et al. Does the rattle of Crotalus durissus terrificus reveal its dietary history?. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2014;20(1):53doi: 10.1186/1678-9199-20-53.
Martinez, M. G., Ducatti, C., Silva, E. T., Sant'Anna, S. S., Sartori, M. M., & Barraviera, B. (2014). Does the rattle of Crotalus durissus terrificus reveal its dietary history?. The journal of venomous animals and toxins including tropical diseases, 20(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/1678-9199-20-53
Martinez, Melissa Gaste, et al. "Does the rattle of Crotalus durissus terrificus reveal its dietary history?." The journal of venomous animals and toxins including tropical diseases vol. 20,1 (2014): 53. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1678-9199-20-53
Martinez MG, Ducatti C, Silva ET, Sant'Anna SS, Sartori MM, Barraviera B. Does the rattle of Crotalus durissus terrificus reveal its dietary history?. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 09;20(1):53. doi: 10.1186/1678-9199-20-53. eCollection 2014. PMID: 25540653; PMCID: PMC4276105.
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J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 09;20(1):53. doi: 10.1186/1678-9199-20-53. eCollection 2014.

Does the rattle of Crotalus durissus terrificus reveal its dietary history?.

The journal of venomous animals and toxins including tropical diseases

Melissa Gaste Martinez, Carlos Ducatti, Evandro Tadeu Silva, Savio Stefanini Sant'Anna, Maria Márcia Pereira Sartori, Benedito Barraviera

Affiliations

  1. Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State Brazil.
  2. Stable Isotopes Center (CIE), Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State Brazil.
  3. Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo State Brazil.
  4. Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State Brazil ; Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State Brazil ; CEVAP/UNESP, Rua José Barbosa de Barros, 1780, Fazenda Experimental Lageado, Botucatu, SP CEP 18610-307 Brazil.

PMID: 25540653 PMCID: PMC4276105 DOI: 10.1186/1678-9199-20-53

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Environmental devastation threatens the survival of many species, including venomous snakes such as the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. This observation is based on the decrease of snakes collected and donated to Brazilian research institutes. Nevertheless, some individuals have managed to survive and procreate. The question is how these snakes are adapting in these new environmental conditions.

METHODS: To answer it, the carbon-13 level of rattlesnakes and their feed (either laboratory or wild mice) was evaluated by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. Thus, rattle segments from 16 adults and 15 offspring of captive snakes, and of three wild newborn C. d. terrificus were evaluated as well as 17 Mus musculus mice captured in traps, four live feeder mice and the ration offered to mice at animal houses.

RESULTS: The isotopic exchange time of the captive adult snakes (n = 16) varied between 33 and 37 months and of captive-born animals (n = 15), until reaching a plateau of equilibrium, varied from 18 to 24 months. Regarding the captured Mus musculus (n = 17), 88.23% (n = 15) were from a C4 environment. Of the six rattle rings from offspring of captured C. d. terrificus, five were from a C4 environment, whereas of the 170 rattle rings studied, 60% originated from a C3 environment and 40% from a C4. The same carbon-13 values were found in captive snakes.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the present results, it can be inferred that most C. d. terrificus snakes (60%) fed animals from a C3 environment; birds consist of an alimentary alternative for snakes, as well as rodents, small reptiles and amphibians; different venom compositions among snakes from the same region may be related to the food type; the primary rattle of offspring reflects the maternal diet during gestation; and, finally, the different rattle rings indicate the alimentary history of these animals.

Keywords: Carbon-13; Crotalus durissus terrificus; Food; Stable isotopes

References

  1. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2013 Dec 05;19(1):30 - PubMed
  2. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 1989 Jan-Mar;22(1):5-12 - PubMed
  3. Oecologia. 1983 Mar;57(1-2):32-37 - PubMed

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