Journal articles: 'Burrowing snake'

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Sherratt, Emma, Arne R. Rasmussen, and Kate L. Sanders. "Trophic specialization drives morphological evolution in sea snakes." Royal Society Open Science 5, no. 3 (2018): 172141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.172141.

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Viviparous sea snakes are the most rapidly speciating reptiles known, yet the ecological factors underlying this radiation are poorly understood. Here, we reconstructed dated trees for 75% of sea snake species and quantified body shape (forebody relative to hindbody girth), maximum body length and trophic diversity to examine how dietary specialization has influenced morphological diversification in this rapid radiation. We show that sea snake body shape and size are strongly correlated with the proportion of burrowing prey in the diet. Specialist predators of burrowing eels have convergently evolved a ‘microcephalic’ morphotype with dramatically reduced forebody relative to hindbody girth and intermediate body length. By comparison, snakes that predominantly feed on burrowing gobies are generally short-bodied and small-headed, but there is no evidence of convergent evolution. The eel specialists also exhibit faster rates of size and shape evolution compared to all other sea snakes, including those that feed on gobies. Our results suggest that trophic specialization to particular burrowing prey (eels) has invoked strong selective pressures that manifest as predictable and rapid morphological changes. Further studies are needed to examine the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying these dramatic morphological changes and assess their role in sea snake speciation.

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Yi, Hongyu, and Mark A. Norell. "The burrowing origin of modern snakes." Science Advances 1, no. 10 (2015): e1500743. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1500743.

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Modern snakes probably originated as habitat specialists, but it controversial unclear whether they were ancestrally terrestrial burrowers or marine swimmers. We used x-ray virtual models of the inner ear to predict the habit ofDinilysia patagonica, a stem snake closely related to the origin of modern snakes. Previous work has shown that modern snakes perceive substrate vibrations via their inner ear. Our data show thatD. patagonicaand modern burrowing squamates share a unique spherical vestibule in the inner ear, as compared with swimmers and habitat generalists. We built predictive models for snake habit based on their vestibular shape, which estimatedD. patagonicaand the hypothetical ancestor of crown snakes as burrowers with high probabilities. This study provides an extensive comparative data set to test fossoriality quantitatively in stem snakes, and it shows that burrowing was predominant in the lineages leading to modern crown snakes.

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Himes, John. "Burrowing ecology of the rare and elusive Louisiana pine snake, Pituophis ruthveni (Serpentes: Colubridae)." Amphibia-Reptilia 22, no. 1 (2001): 91–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853801750096204.

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AbstractThe burrowing ecology of 12 adult and nine juvenile Louisiana pine snakes, Pituophis ruthveni, was studied during 1995-1997 in north-central Louisiana, U.S.A. Significantly more adult burrows connected to pocket gopher (Geomys breviceps) tunnels than did juvenile burrows, although a relatively high number of adult and juvenile snake burrows were blind-ended. Significantly more adult snake burrows were located in pine plantations and grasslands and significantly less were located in clearcuts than expected. Significantly more juvenile snake burrows were located in pine plantations than expected. Adult and juvenile snake burrows were located in areas that had relatively less leaf litter and canopy closure than expected. Excavation behavior by P. ruthveni was stereotyped and similar to excavation behavior by the bullsnake, Pituophis catenifer sayi and the northern pine snake, Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus.

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Koynova, Teodora, Pavlina Marinova, Nikola Stanchev, Nikolay Natchev, and Daniel Jablonski. "New records of Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820) indicate the northernmost locality of the species in the Balkan Peninsula." Check List 17, no. 6 (2021): 1623–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/17.6.1623.

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The Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820) complex represents small, burrowing snakes that occur from the Balkan Peninsula to Afghanistan and generally they are mostly observed during the springtime. In the present study, we report new records of this snake (10 individuals observed) from Elenite village in coastal Bulgaria. According to current knowledge, they represent the northernmost locality of the species in the Balkan Peninsula. We expand the known distribution of X. vermicularis and help to fill information gaps.

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Nagabaskaran, Gokulan, Morgan Skinner, and Noam Miller. "Western Hognose Snakes (Heterodon nasicus) Prefer Environmental Enrichment." Animals 12, no. 23 (2022): 3347. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani12233347.

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The environmental enrichment needs of snakes are often disregarded. Using preference testing, we aimed to shed light on the enrichment preferences of a popular pet species, the western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus). Snakes’ enclosures were divided into enriched and standard sides. The enriched half had substrate for burrowing, interactive stimuli, and a large water dish. The standard half had paper towel substrate and a small water dish. Each side also contained a single shelter. We provided belly heat to create a thermal gradient on one side of the cage. Snakes were observed for 6 days, four times daily. We predicted a preference for enriched conditions and, as snakes are ectothermic, a preference for the warmer side. Snakes were additionally given an exploration assay, to explore whether differences in preference for environmental enrichment interact with boldness levels. We found that hognose snakes preferred enrichment, and the strength of this preference increased over time. Preference for enrichment was stronger when the enriched side was cooler. This may be due to the burrowing tendencies of these snakes. We found no relationship between preference and boldness. These findings emphasise the importance of preference testing in establishing research-informed enrichment opportunities for reptiles.

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Koynova, Teodora, Pavlina Marinova, Nikola Stanchev, Nikolay Natchev, and Daniel Jablonski. "New records of Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820) indicate the northernmost locality of the species in the Balkan Peninsula." Check List 17, no. (6) (2021): 1623–26. https://doi.org/10.15560/17.6.1623.

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The Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820) complex represents small, burrowing snakes that occur from the Balkan Peninsula to Afghanistan and generally they are mostly observed during the springtime. In the present study, we report new records of this snake (10 individuals observed) from Elenite village in coastal Bulgaria. According to current knowledge, they represent the northernmost locality of the species in the Balkan Peninsula. We expand the known distribution of X. vermicularis and help to fill information gaps.

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7

Vidal, Nicolas, Julie Marin, Marina Morini, et al. "Blindsnake evolutionary tree reveals long history on Gondwana." Biology Letters 6, no. 4 (2010): 558–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2010.0220.

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Worm-like snakes (scolecophidians) are small, burrowing species with reduced vision. Although largely neglected in vertebrate research, knowledge of their biogeographical history is crucial for evaluating hypotheses of snake origins. We constructed a molecular dataset for scolecophidians with detailed sampling within the largest family, Typhlopidae (blindsnakes). Our results demonstrate that scolecophidians have had a long Gondwanan history, and that their initial diversification followed a vicariant event: the separation of East and West Gondwana approximately 150 Ma. We find that the earliest blindsnake lineages, representing two new families described here, were distributed on the palaeolandmass of India+Madagascar named here as Indigascar. Their later evolution out of Indigascar involved vicariance and several oceanic dispersal events, including a westward transatlantic one, unexpected for burrowing animals. The exceptional diversification of scolecophidians in the Cenozoic was probably linked to a parallel radiation of prey (ants and termites) as well as increased isolation of populations facilitated by their fossorial habits.

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Palci, Alessandro, Mark N. Hutchinson, Michael W. Caldwell, and Michael S. Y. Lee. "The morphology of the inner ear of squamate reptiles and its bearing on the origin of snakes." Royal Society Open Science 4, no. 8 (2017): 170685. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.170685.

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The inner ear morphology of 80 snake and lizard species, representative of a range of ecologies, is here analysed and compared to that of the fossil stem snake Dinilysia patagonica , using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. Inner ear morphology is linked to phylogeny (we find here a strong phylogenetic signal in the data that can complicate ecological correlations), but also correlated with ecology, with Dinilysia resembling certain semi-fossorial forms ( Xenopeltis and Cylindrophis ), consistent with previous reports. We here also find striking resemblances between Dinilysia and some semi-aquatic snakes, such as Myron (Caenophidia, Homalopsidae). Therefore, the inner ear morphology of Dinilysia is consistent with semi-aquatic as well as semi-fossorial habits: the most similar forms are either semi-fossorial burrowers with a strong affinity to water ( Xenopeltis and Cylindrophis ) or amphibious, intertidal forms which shelter in burrows ( Myron). Notably, Dinilysia does not cluster as closely with snakes with exclusively terrestrial or obligate burrowing habits (e.g. scolecophidians and uropeltids). Moreover, despite the above similarities, Dinilysia also occupies a totally unique morphospace, raising issues with linking it with any particular ecological category.

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Schembri, Brendan, and Christopher J. Jolly. "A significant range extension of the unbanded shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis incinctus Storr, 1968) in the Einasleigh Uplands." Memoirs of the Queensland Museum : nature. 60 (April 28, 2017): 113–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.17082/j.2204-1478.60.2017.2016-13.

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Until now there have been two species of burrowing elapid from the genus Brachyurophis known to occur in the Einasleigh Uplands Bioregion of northeastern Queensland, the Australian coral snake (Brachyurophis australis Krefft, 1864) and the north-eastern (or Campbell’s) shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis campbelli Kinghorn, 1929). Here we report a third species from the region, the unbanded shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis incinctus Storr, 1968). This is significant because it is the most north-easterly known occurrence of this species in Australia, adds to the known biodiversity of the region and extends the species’ known range by more than 400km to the northeast.

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10

Kurnik, Daniel, Yael Haviv, and Elazar Kochva. "A snake bite by the Burrowing Asp, Atractaspis engaddensis." Toxicon 37, no. 1 (1999): 223–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0041-0101(98)00166-4.

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11

Fellows, Sandeep. "First Genetic Evidence and Genomic Characterization of Anilios leptosoma (Murchison Blind Snake) from India: A Novel Record Based on Comparative Genomics." International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies 5, no. 3 (2025): 570–73. https://doi.org/10.62225/2583049x.2025.5.3.4284.

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Anilios leptosoma, also known as the Murchison blind snake, is a species of fossorial snake found in Western Australia, characterized by cylindrical bodies and burrowing adaptations. This study reported the first genetic evidence of A. leptosoma, commonly known as the Murchison blind snake, from India. This species, previously restricted to Western Australia, was identified through genome sequencing of conserved regions and comparative phylogenetic analysis using a sample collected from Tamiya Village, Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh. Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced using the high-throughput Illumina platform, followed by bioinformatic validation. Comparative analysis with existing Typhlopid genomic datasets confirms its identity as A. leptosoma, marking the first record in the Indian subcontinent. This discovery has profound implications for the biogeographical distribution and evolutionary dynamics of Typhlopidae.

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Van Der Kooij, Jeroen, and David Povel. "Scale Sensillae of the File Snake (Serpentes: Acrochordidae) and Some Other Aquatic and Burrowing Snakes." Netherlands Journal of Zoology 47, no. 4 (1996): 443–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156854297x00111.

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13

Fortes, Vanessa Barbisan, Elaine Maria Lucas, and Vinícius Matheus Caldart. "Reptilia, Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Gomesophis brasiliensis (Gomes, 1918): distribution extension in state of Santa Catarina, Brazil." Check List 6, no. 3 (2010): 414. http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/6.3.414.

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The Brazilian burrowing snake, Gomesophis brasiliensis, occurs in aquatic habitats such as swamps, from Minas Gerais and Distrito Federal until Rio Grande do Sul. In spite of this wide distribution, the species’ geographic range still remains unclear. This note reports the occurrence of G. brasiliensis in the municipality of Vargem Bonita, state of Santa Catarina, south Brazil, extending the species’ range ca. 80 km to the west in this state.

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14

Lee, Michael S. Y. "The phylogeny of varanoid lizards and the affinities of snakes." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences 352, no. 1349 (1997): 53–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.1997.0005.

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Evidence that platynotan squamates (living varanoid lizards, snakes and their fossil relatives) are monophyletic is presented. Evolutionary relationships within this group are then ascertained through a cladistic analysis of 144 osteological characters. Mosasauroids (aigialosaurs and mosasaurs), a group of large marine lizards, are identified as the nearest relatives of snakes, thus resolving the long-standing problem of snake affinities. The mosasauroid–snake clade (Pythonomorpha) is corroborated by 40 derived characters, including recumbent replacement teeth, thecodonty, four or fewer premaxillary teeth, supratemporal–prootic contact, free mandibular tips, crista circumfenestralis, straight vertical splenio-angular joint, loss of posterior ramus of the coronoid, reduced basipterygoid processes, reduced interpterygoid vacuity, zygosphene–zygantral articulations, and absence of epiphyses on the axial skeleton and skull. After mosasauroids, the next closest relatives of snakes are varanids ( Varanus , Saniwa and Saniwides ) and lanthanotids ( Lanthanotus and Cherminotus ). Derived features uniting varanids and lanthanotids include nine cervical vertebrae and three or fewer pairs of sternal ribs. The varanid–lanthanotid–pythonomorph clade, here termed Thecoglossa, is supported by features such as the anteriorly positioned basal tubera, and the loss of the second epibranchial. Successive outgroups to thecoglossans are Telmasaurus , an unresolved polytomy ( Estesia , Gobidermatidae and Helodermatidae), Paravaranus and Proplatynota . The ‘necrosaurs’ are demonstrated to be an artificial (polyphyletic) assemblage of primitive platynotans that are not particularly closely related to each other. Snakes are presumed to have evolved from small, limbless, burrowing lizards and the inability of previous analyses to resolve the affinities of snakes has been attributed to extensive convergence among the numerous lineages of such lizards. The present study contradicts this claim, demonstrating that the problem is due instead to omission of critical fossil taxa. No modern phylogenetic analysis of squamate relationships has simultaneously included both mosasauroids and snakes: previous studies have therefore failed to identify the mosasauroid–snake association and the suite of derived characters supporting it. Mosasauroids are large aquatic animals with well-developed appendages, and none of the derived characters uniting mosasauroids and snakes is obviously correlated with miniaturization, limb reduction or fossoriality. Recognition that mosasauroids, followed by varanids and lanthanotids, are the nearest relatives of snakes will also facilitate studies of relationships within snakes, which until now have been hampered by uncertainty over the most appropriate (closely–related) lizard outgroups.

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Ganesh, S. R. "ON A RARE, SOUTH INDIAN BURROWING SNAKE Platyplectrurus trilineatus (BEDDOME, 1867)." Taprobanica 3, no. 1 (2011): 11–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v3i1.38.

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Peng, Lifang, Diancheng Yang, Shuangquan Duan, and Song Huang. "Mitochondrial genome of the Common burrowing snake Achalinus spinalis (Reptilia: Xenodermatidae)." Mitochondrial DNA Part B 2, no. 2 (2017): 571–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23802359.2017.1365643.

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Deufel, Alexandra. "Burrowing with a kinetic snout in a snake (Elapidae: Aspidelaps scutatus )." Journal of Morphology 278, no. 12 (2017): 1706–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.20743.

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Klein, Marie-Christin G., and Stanislav N. Gorb. "Epidermis architecture and material properties of the skin of four snake species." Journal of The Royal Society Interface 9, no. 76 (2012): 3140–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2012.0479.

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On the basis of structural and experimental data, it was previously demonstrated that the snake integument consists of a hard, robust, inflexible outer surface ( Oberhäutchen and β-layer) and softer, flexible inner layers (α-layers). It is not clear whether this phenomenon is a general adaptation of snakes to limbless locomotion or only to specific conditions, such as habitat and locomotion. The aim of the present study was to compare the structure and material properties of the outer scale layers (OSLs) and inner scale layers (ISLs) of the exuvium epidermis in four snake species specialized to live in different habitats: Lampropeltis getula californiae (terrestrial), Epicrates cenchria cenchria (generalist), Morelia viridis (arboreal) and Gongylophis colubrinus (sand-burrowing). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of skin cross sections revealed a strong variation in the epidermis structure between species. The nanoindentation experiments clearly demonstrated a gradient of material properties along the epidermis in the integument of all the species studied. The presence of such a gradient is a possible adaptation to locomotion and wear minimization on natural substrates. In general, the difference in both the effective elastic modulus and hardness of the OSL and ISL between species was not large compared with the difference in epidermis thickness and architecture.

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Fortes, Vanessa, Elaine Lucas, and Vinícius Caldart. "Reptilia, Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Gomesophis brasiliensis (Gomes, 1918): distribution extension in state of Santa Catarina, Brazil." Check List 6, no. (3) (2016): 414–15. https://doi.org/10.15560/6.3.414.

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The Brazilian burrowing snake, Gomesophis brasiliensis, occurs in aquatic habitats such as swamps, from Minas Gerais and Distrito Federal until Rio Grande do Sul. In spite of this wide distribution, the species' geographic range still remains unclear. This note reports the occurrence of G. brasiliensis in the municipality of Vargem Bonita, state of Santa Catarina, south Brazil, extending the species' range ca. 80 km to the west in this state.

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Astley, Henry C. "The Biomechanics of Multi-articular Muscle–Tendon Systems in Snakes." Integrative and Comparative Biology 60, no. 1 (2020): 140–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icb/icaa012.

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Synopsis The geometry of the musculoskeletal system, such as moment arms and linkages, determines the link between muscular functions and external mechanical results, but as the geometry becomes more complex, this link becomes less clear. The musculoskeletal system of snakes is extremely complex, with several muscles that span dozens of vertebrae, ranging from 10 to 45 vertebrae in the snake semispinalis-spinalis muscle (a dorsiflexor). Furthermore, this span correlates with habitat in Caenophidians, with burrowing and aquatic species showing shorter spans while arboreal species show longer spans. Similar multi-articular spans are present in the prehensile tails of primates, the necks of birds, and our own digits. However, no previous analysis has adequately explained the mechanical consequences of these multi-articular spans. This paper uses techniques from the analysis of static systems in engineering to analyze the consequences of multiarticular muscle configurations in cantilevered gap bridging and compares these outcomes to a hypothetical mono-articular system. Multi-articular muscle spans dramatically reduce the forces needed in each muscle, but the consequent partitioning of muscle cross-sectional area between numerous muscles results in a small net performance loss. However, when a substantial fraction of this span is tendinous, performance increases dramatically. Similarly, metabolic cost is increased for purely muscular multi-articular spans, but decreases rapidly with increasing tendon ratio. However, highly tendinous spans require increased muscle strain to achieve the same motion, while purely muscular systems are unaffected. These results correspond well with comparative data from snakes and offer the potential to dramatically improve the mechanics of biomimetic snake robots.

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Portillo, Frank, William R. Branch, Werner Conradie, et al. "Phylogeny and biogeography of the African burrowing snake subfamily Aparallactinae (Squamata: Lamprophiidae)." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 127 (October 2018): 288–303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.019.

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Zhang, Yong, Dian-Cheng Yang, Li-Fang Peng, Aijun Jin, Shuangquan Duan, and Song Huang. "Complete mitochondrial genome of the Rufous burrowing snake, Achalinus rufescens (Reptilia: Xenodermatidae)." Mitochondrial DNA Part B 2, no. 2 (2017): 419–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23802359.2017.1347842.

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Ganesh, SR. "On a rare, South Indian burrowing snake Platyplectrurus trilineatus (Beddome, 1867)." TAPROBANICA: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity 3, no. 1 (2011): 11. http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tapro.v3i1.3228.

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Terrat, Y., M. Verdenaud, and F. Ducancel. "High-throughput venom-gland toxin transcriptome of an Atractaspididae burrowing asp Snake: Atractaspis aterrima." Toxicon 75 (December 2013): 223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.08.049.

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Bozzano, A. "Vision in the rufus snake eel, Ophichthus rufus : adaptive mechanisms for a burrowing life-style." Marine Biology 143, no. 1 (2003): 167–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-003-1032-9.

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Camacho, Agustín, Carlos A. Navas, Adriana Tiemi Yamanouchi, and Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues. "Consequences of Evolving Limbless, Burrowing Forms for the Behavior and Population Density of Tropical Lizards." Diversity 14, no. 6 (2022): 482. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d14060482.

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We quantified functional traits (escape strategy, sprint speed and predatory performance) and population density across 10 lizard species representing morphotype stages in the acquisition of burrowing snake-like morphotypes (BSLM), from Brazil. We used phylogenetic mixed models to test if: (a) morphotype and substrate affects flight strategy and speed, (b) BSLM species more effectively access different potential prey types than lacertoid species, when in syntopy, and (c) morphotype is correlated with population abundance and habitat use in a way expected from the output of the previous experiments. BSLM rigidly relied on burrowing as flight strategy, while syntopic lacertoid species changed their strategy according to the substrate. In addition, sand had opposing effects on sprint speed depending on morphotype, making lacertoids run more slowly and BSLM faster. Even though BSLM were overall slower than lacertoids, they were equally effective hunters of challengingly fast prey, and better hunters of underground prey. In their shared habitats, prey is most abundant in the superficial layer of leaf litter, although a large fraction is found beneath this layer, under bushes. Experimental results support the observed higher importance of sand for BSLM’s density and the higher importance of vegetation for lacertoids’ density. Finally, although BSLM species reached the highest population densities among the studied species, a systematic effect of morphological evolution on the abundance of limbless lizards remains elusive.

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CHAMBRIER, ALAIN DE, and TOMÁŠ SCHOLZ. "A new species of Australotaenia (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) from a hylid frog in Australia." Zootaxa 5458, no. 3 (2024): 420–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5458.3.6.

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A new species of the little-known genus Australotaenia de Chambrier & de Chambrier, 2010 is described from Ranoidea australis (Gray) (Anura: Hylidae), commonly known as the giant frog, northern snapping frog or round frog and which is a burrowing frog species native to Australia. Australotaenia hobbsi n. sp. is the fourth species of the genus, but the first taxon found in a burrowing frog and in northern Australia. The other species were found in Australian tree frogs (Litoria spp.) in southwestern and southeastern Australia, and in the homalopsid snake Enhydris enhydris (Schneider) in Cambodia. Australotaenia hobbsi n. sp. differs from its congeners (i) by the wider strobila (maximum body width 1,750 µm versus < 930 µm), scolex (570 µm versus < 390 µm) and suckers (diameter 215–230 µm versus < 140 µm); (ii) by the smaller relative size of the cirrus sac (12–15% of proglottid width versus 17–33%); (iii) by the absence of a vaginal sphincter (present in the other three species); (iv) different arrangement of the inner longitudinal musculature, which consists of a few individual muscle fibres (in contrast to the fibres grouped in bundles in other species). Australotaenia species and Pangasiocestus romani Scholz & de Chambrier, 2012 from the spot pangasius Pangasius lernaudii Boucourt, both of the subfamily Acanthotaeniinae, are unique among proteocephalids in terms of intermediate uterine development, with a high concentration of chromophilic cells around the tip of the lateral uterine diverticula.

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Iijima, Brenda. "now that we have met crawling, and: swimming, burrowing and jumping snakes, all that remains is for us to discover a flying snake." Colorado Review 37, no. 3 (2010): 112–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/col.2010.0034.

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Olori, Jennifer C. "Digital Endocasts of the Cranial Cavity and Osseous Labyrinth of the Burrowing Snake Uropeltis woodmasoni (Alethinophidia: Uropeltidae)." Copeia 2010, no. 1 (2010): 14–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1643/ch-09-082.

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Chen, N., J. A. Upcrofta, and P. Upcroft. "AGiardia duodenalisgene encoding a protein with multiple repeats of a toxin homologue." Parasitology 111, no. 4 (1995): 423–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182000065926.

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SUMMARYA gene,CRP136,from the intestinal protozoan parasiteGiardia duodenalis,expressed at a high level in a metronidazole-resistant line, encodes a 136 kDa protein with 23 copies of a 40 amino acid repeat. The protein is cysteine-rich and has the typical membrane-spanning region and CXXC amino acid motifs of a family ofGiardiacysteine-rich surface proteins (CRSPs). The repeat unit inCRP136, shares 57% homology with the gene encoding the precursor of the sarafotoxins, a group of snake toxins from the burrowing adder known to cause symptoms similar to those of humans acutely infected withGiardia.The sarafotoxins are low molecular weight sulphydryl cross-linked peptides which are proteolytically cleaved from a precursor polyprotein.CRP136has homology over the entire length of the sarafotoxin precursor, and the repeats are of the same length. ThusCRP136represents the first evidence for a potentialGiardiatoxin. The genomic copy number ofCRP136appears to be the same in both the parent and drug-resistant lines and expression of this gene, and at least one other, is associated with a conserved partial duplication, but not amplification, of one chromosome.

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Welty, J. L., J. R. Belthoff, J. Egbert, and H. Schwabl. "Relationships between yolk androgens and nest density, laying date, and laying order in Western Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 90, no. 2 (2012): 182–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z11-125.

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Increases in yolk androgens within and among avian clutches have been correlated with decreased incubation time, increased aggression within a nest, increased begging behaviour, decreased immune response, and decreased life span. Although the mechanisms that lead to variability in yolk androgens within and between clutches are not completely known, yolk androgens can be a function of both social and environmental conditions. We were interested in if and how nesting density, laying date, and laying order influenced yolk androgens in Western Burrowing Owls ( Athene cunicularia hypugaea (Bonaparte, 1825)) in which nest density varies considerably. In 2006 and 2007, we used radioimmunoassay to quantify the concentrations of testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, and androstenedione in the egg yolks from one early and one late-laid egg in 47 nests of Burrowing Owls located in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southern Idaho. Nesting density had no detectable effect on yolk androgens. Yolk androgens varied temporally and peaked in the middle of the laying season while being low before and after this time period. Within nests, late-laid eggs had higher testosterone and dihydrotestosterone than early-laid eggs; adrostendione exhibited a similar pattern in one but not both years of our study. It is possible that the seasonal pattern in yolk androgens that we observed is related to aspects of mate quality for females or declining chances of fledging success for later nesting females, whereas rises in egg androgens between early and late eggs within clutches could reflect a mechanism to assist nestlings from late-laid eggs that hatch one to several days after their siblings to better compete for resources within the nest or promote survival in the presence of larger siblings.

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dos Santos, Fernanda Martins, Omar Machado Entiauspe-Neto, Jailini da Silva Araújo, et al. "A new species of burrowing snake (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Apostolepis) from the state of Mato Grosso, Central-West region of Brazil." Zoologia 35 (June 7, 2018): 1–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zoologia.35.e26742.

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During a faunal rescue conducted at a hydroelectric power station constructed in a Cerrado savanna area in the state of Mato Grosso, a sample of five small stripe-patterned individuals of snakes of the genusApostolepisCope, 1862 document the existence of an undescribed species, which is named herein. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of scale counts, number of maxillary teeth and color pattern. The new species is most similar toApostolepisborelliiPeracca, 1904,A.lineataCope, 1887,A.nelsonjorgeiLema &amp; Renner, 2004,A.nigroterminataBoulenger, 1896,A.serranaLema &amp; Renner, 2006 andA.underwoodiLema &amp; Campbell, 2017 in its coloration pattern. However, it is distinguished from these species by having a pair of triangular blotches covering portions of the third to sixth supralabials, a white nuchal collar, the shape of the fourth supralabial and the shape of the tip of tail, the number of supralabials in contact with parietals, the size of the anterior chinshields, the color pattern of the paraventral side, parietal and terminal scales, the width of dorsal stripes, and a distinct number of subcaudals. The new species occurs in areas within the Cerrado biome.

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dos, Santos Fernanda Martins, Omar Machado Entiauspe-Neto, Jailini da Silva Araújo, et al. "A new species of burrowing snake (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Apostolepis) from the state of Mato Grosso, Central-West region of Brazil." Zoologia 35 (June 7, 2018): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3897/zoologia.35.e26742.

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During a faunal rescue conducted at a hydroelectric power station constructed in a Cerrado savanna area in the state of Mato Grosso, a sample of five small stripe-patterned individuals of snakes of the genus Apostolepis Cope, 1862 document the existence of an undescribed species, which is named herein. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of scale counts, number of maxillary teeth and color pattern. The new species is most similar to Apostolepis borellii Peracca, 1904, A. lineata Cope, 1887, A. nelsonjorgei Lema & Renner, 2004, A. nigroterminata Boulenger, 1896, A. serrana Lema & Renner, 2006 and A. underwoodi Lema & Campbell, 2017 in its coloration pattern. However, it is distinguished from these species by having a pair of triangular blotches covering portions of the third to sixth supralabials, a white nuchal collar, the shape of the fourth supralabial and the shape of the tip of tail, the number of supralabials in contact with parietals, the size of the anterior chinshields, the color pattern of the paraventral side, parietal and terminal scales, the width of dorsal stripes, and a distinct number of subcaudals. The new species occurs in areas within the Cerrado biome.

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Tronstad, Lusha M., and Bryan P. Tronstad. "Assessing Methods to Monitor Aquatic Invertebrates in a Large River: Comparing Rock Baskets and Hess Samplers in the Snake River, Wyoming, USA." Hydrobiology 3, no. 3 (2024): 209–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology3030014.

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Large rivers are difficult to sample due to their size yet critical to monitor because humans heavily rely upon and alter them. Aquatic invertebrates are commonly used to assess the ecosystem quality of streams, but methods to sample large rivers are underdeveloped. We sampled aquatic invertebrates using a Hess sampler and rock baskets in the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming, USA. Hess samples collected more aquatic invertebrate taxa and a higher proportion of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and burrowing taxa. Rock baskets collected a higher proportion of Trichoptera, filterers, and clinging taxa. Bioassessment metrics differed between sampling methods; richness, diversity, evenness, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT), and Hilsenhoff’s biotic index produced higher values in Hess samples, and percent EPT was higher in rock baskets. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and analysis of similarity indicated that the samplers collected different assemblages (p < 0.001). The standard error of total invertebrate density was smaller and most taxa were collected with seven replicate samples. Understanding how sampling methods alter the aquatic invertebrates collected will help managers develop monitoring protocols that are best suited to the river and collect the most unbiased invertebrate assemblages.

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Chandrasekara, Uthpala, Marco Mancuso, Lorenzo Seneci, et al. "A Russian Doll of Resistance: Nested Gains and Losses of Venom Immunity in Varanid Lizards." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25, no. 5 (2024): 2628. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052628.

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The interplay between predator and prey has catalyzed the evolution of venom systems, with predators honing their venoms in response to the evolving resistance of prey. A previous study showed that the African varanid species Varanus exanthematicus has heightened resistance to snake venoms compared to the Australian species V. giganteus, V. komodoensis, and V. mertensi, likely due to increased predation by sympatric venomous snakes on V. exanthematicus. To understand venom resistance among varanid lizards, we analyzed the receptor site targeted by venoms in 27 varanid lizards, including 25 Australian varanids. The results indicate an active evolutionary arms race between Australian varanid lizards and sympatric neurotoxic elapid snakes. Large species preying on venomous snakes exhibit inherited neurotoxin resistance, a trait potentially linked to their predatory habits. Consistent with the ‘use it or lose it’ aspect of venom resistance, this trait was secondarily reduced in two lineages that had convergently evolved gigantism (V. giganteus and the V. komodoensis/V. varius clade), suggestive of increased predatory success accompanying extreme size and also increased mechanical protection against envenomation due to larger scale osteoderms. Resistance was completely lost in the mangrove monitor V. indicus, consistent with venomous snakes not being common in their arboreal and aquatic niche. Conversely, dwarf varanids demonstrate a secondary loss at the base of the clade, with resistance subsequently re-evolving in the burrowing V. acanthurus/V. storri clade, suggesting an ongoing battle with neurotoxic predators. Intriguingly, within the V. acanthurus/V. storri clade, resistance was lost again in V. kingorum, which is morphologically and ecologically distinct from other members of this clade. Resistance was also re-evolved in V. glebopalma which is terrestrial in contrast to the arboreal/cliff dwelling niches occupied by the other members of its clade (V. glebopalma, V. mitchelli, V. scalaris, V. tristis). This ‘Russian doll’ pattern of venom resistance underscores the dynamic interaction between dwarf varanids and Australian neurotoxic elapid snakes. Our research, which included testing Acanthophis (death adder) venoms against varanid receptors as models for alpha-neurotoxic interactions, uncovered a fascinating instance of the Red Queen Hypothesis: some death adders have developed more potent toxins specifically targeting resistant varanids, a clear sign of the relentless predator–prey arms race. These results offer new insight into the complex dynamics of venom resistance and highlight the intricate ecological interactions that shape the natural world.

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Atkinson, R. J. A., B. Pelster, C. R. Bridges, A. C. Taylor, and S. Morris. "Behavioural and physiological adaptations to a burrowing lifestyle in the snake blenny, Lumpenus lampretaeformis, and the red band-fish, Cepola rubescens." Journal of Fish Biology 31, no. 5 (1987): 639–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1987.tb05268.x.

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Huang, Wen-Chien, Yusuke Hibino, Rodulf Anthony Balisco, and Te-Yu Liao. "Description of a new uniformly brown estuarine moray eel (Anguilliformes, Muraenidae) from the Central Indo-Pacific Ocean." ZooKeys 1220 (December 9, 2024): 15–34. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1220.129685.

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A new estuarine moray eel, Uropterygius hades sp. nov., is described based on 14 specimens from Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, southern Indonesia, and Fiji. It is a small-bodied, slender, uniformly dark-brown moray separated from congeners within the U. concolor species complex. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by the anteriorly positioned small eyes (5.0–7.2% of head length), absence of branchial pores, and extended inner rows of teeth which reach the posterior end of the jaws. Uropterygius hades sp. nov. represents a rare species of moray eel that inhabits turbid estuarine environments, preferring soft, muddy substrates, and burrowing and hiding among rocks or in fallen mangrove leaves. Additionally, Uropterygius mactanensis Huang, Balisco, Evacitas & Liao, another species recently separated from the U. concolor species complex, is reported for the first time from Iriomote Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago based on two specimens; this new record expands the geographic range of U. mactanensis from the central Philippines to southern Japan.

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Stuber, Matthew J., Michael J. Hooper, and James R. Belthoff. "Examination of Pesticide Exposure In Burrowing Owls Nesting In Agricultural And Nonagricultural Areas In the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, Idaho." Journal of Raptor Research 52, no. 2 (2018): 191–206. http://dx.doi.org/10.3356/jrr-17-18.1.

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Petrozzi, Fabio, Edem A. Eniang, Nioking Amadi, Godfrey C. Akani, and Luca Luiselli. "Temporal and spatial segregation in an assemblage of Afrotropical subterranean snakes." Amphibia-Reptilia 35, no. 3 (2014): 345–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00002959.

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Niche partititioning patterns have not been studied so far in burrowing tropical snakes of the families Typhlopidae and Leptotyphlopidae. In this study, we analyze temporal (= monthly activity) and spatial (= habitat use) niche dimensions in three species of burrowing snakes from the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Null model analyses, using two randomization algorithms and 30 000 Monte Carlo permutations, showed that there was random resource partitioning patterns as for the spatial niche dimension. One species (Rhinotyphlops punctatus) clearly dominated in the sample, and appeared to be more habitat generalist than the others. All three species showed an uneven monthly activity, with peaks occurring by wet season, and statistically significant positive correlations between mean monthly rainfall and number of captured snakes. However, there were significantly negative correlations between mean monthly temperature and number of captured snakes in two of the three species (Rhinotyphlops congestus;Leptotyphlopscfr.sundewalli).

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Hampton, Paul M. "Foraging ecology influences the number of vertebrae in hydrophiine sea snakes." Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 128, no. 3 (2019): 645–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blz115.

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Abstract The number of vertebrae in snakes is highly variable both within and among species. Across ophidian taxa, the number of vertebrae has been linked to many aspects of ecology and performance. Herein, I test the hypothesis that variation in the number of vertebrae and the length of the anterior region of sea snakes are associated with foraging ecology. I predicted that sea snakes that invade burrows and crevices for prey would have relatively longer anterior regions as a result of a greater number of vertebrae. Using radiographs, I counted the number of vertebrae between the head and atria and between the atria and cloaca for 22 species of hydrophiine sea snakes. The length between the cranium and atria was positively associated with the frequency of burrowing prey consumed. The number of vertebrae in the pre-atrial region showed a positive association with diet, although the analysis only approached statistical significance. No association was observed between diet and the number of vertebrae between the atria and cloaca, indicating that heart position is constrained with respect to the cloaca. These data indicate that sea snakes specializing on burrowing prey have adapted elongated, anterior regions of the body through an increased number of vertebrae.

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Sherratt, Emma, Kate L. Sanders, Amy Watson, Mark N. Hutchinson, Michael S. Y. Lee, and Alessandro Palci. "Heterochronic Shifts Mediate Ecomorphological Convergence in Skull Shape of Microcephalic Sea Snakes." Integrative and Comparative Biology 59, no. 3 (2019): 616–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icb/icz033.

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Abstract Morphological variation among the viviparous sea snakes (Hydrophiinae), a clade of fully aquatic elapid snakes, includes an extreme “microcephalic” ecomorph that has a very small head atop a narrow forebody, while the hind body is much thicker (up to three times the forebody girth). Previous research has demonstrated that this morphology has evolved at least nine times as a consequence of dietary specialization on burrowing eels, and has also examined morphological changes to the vertebral column underlying this body shape. The question addressed in this study is what happens to the skull during this extreme evolutionary change? Here we use X-ray micro-computed tomography and geometric morphometric methods to characterize cranial shape variation in 30 species of sea snakes. We investigate ontogenetic and evolutionary patterns of cranial shape diversity to understand whether cranial shape is predicted by dietary specialization, and examine whether cranial shape of microcephalic species may be a result of heterochronic processes. We show that the diminutive cranial size of microcephalic species has a convergent shape that is correlated with trophic specialization to burrowing prey. Furthermore, their cranial shape is predictable for their size and very similar to that of juvenile individuals of closely related but non-microcephalic sea snakes. Our findings suggest that heterochronic changes (resulting in pedomorphosis) have driven cranial shape convergence in response to dietary specializations in sea snakes.

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Marin, Julie, Stephen C. Donnellan, S. Blair Hedges, et al. "Hidden species diversity of Australian burrowing snakes (Ramphotyphlops)." Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 110, no. 2 (2013): 427–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bij.12132.

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Warrell, David A. "The burrowing asps genus Atractaspis, a tropical group of venomous snakes." Toxicon 23, no. 4 (1985): 623. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0041-0101(85)90346-0.

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Saeed, Ali Awadallah, Omer A. Gibreel, Ayman B. Mousa, et al. "Knowledge and perceptions of snakes, snakebites and their management among health care workers in Sudan." PLOS ONE 19, no. 9 (2024): e0302698. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302698.

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Background Snakebite statistics in Sudan are lacking despite the high estimated burden of the problem. One study in Sudan reported the presence of 17 medically significant snakes belonging to three major families: Burrowing asps, Elapidae, and Viperidae. These snakes usually become abundant during and after the rainy season, and most snakebite victims are farm workers. This study was set out based on the observed snakebite management, poor outcomes and lack of information on the healthcare provider’s knowledge of this serious, deadly medical and health condition in snakebite-endemic regions of Sudan. Materials and methods In August 2022, a descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 394 medical and healthcare providers in snakebite-endemic regions of Sudan (Gaddarif, Sinnar, Khartoum, and Kassala). A validated questionnaire was used. It consisted of seven sections addressing the study population demographic characteristics, knowledge of snakes, snakebites, and their management. Data analysis used various statistical tests using Microsoft Excel and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (IBM SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) was done. Results Among the 394 participants (44.7% males, 53.3% females), 58.1% demonstrated adequate knowledge of snakes, and 45.3% exhibited adequate knowledge of snakebites. A mere 25.9% received training in snakebite management, with 60.4% possessing adequate knowledge in this domain. Only 14% expressed high confidence in managing snakebites, and 40.9% reported having protocols for snakebite management at their health facilities. Conclusion The study highlighted the inadequacy of healthcare providers’ knowledge in snakebite-endemic areas in Sudan regarding snakes, snakebites and snakebites management. Urgent interventions, such as intensive continuing professional education and training, are essential to address this neglected medical and health problem.

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Kochva, E. "The burrowing asps genus Atractaspis belongs to a separate family of venomous snakes—The atractaspididae." Toxicon 29, no. 9 (1991): 1049. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0041-0101(91)90204-5.

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Strahan, N. R., R. A. How, and John Dell. "Reproduction and Diet in Four Species of Burrowing Snakes (Simoselaps Spp.) from Southwestern Western Australia." Records of the Western Australian Museum 19 (June 6, 1998): 57–63. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13658764.

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DEREZ, CHANTELLE M., KEVIN ARBUCKLE, ZHIQIANG RUAN, et al. "A new species of bandy-bandy (Vermicella: Serpentes: Elapidae) from the Weipa region, Cape York, Australia." Zootaxa 4446, no. 1 (2018): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4446.1.1.

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Bandy-bandies (genus Vermicella) are small (50–100cm) black and white burrowing elapids with a highly specialised diet of blindsnakes (Typhlopidae). There are currently 5 recognized species in the genus, all located in Australia, with Vermicella annulata the most encountered species with the largest distribution. Morphological and mitochondrial analyses of specimens collected from the Weipa area, Cape York, Queensland reveal the existence of a new species, which we describe as Vermicella parscauda sp. nov. Mitochondrial DNA analysis (16S and ND4) and external morphological characteristics indicate that the closest relatives of the new species are not V. annulata, which also occurs on Cape York, but rather species from Western Australia and the Northern Territory (V. intermedia and V. multifasciata) which, like V. parscauda, occupy monsoon habitats. Internasal scales are present in V. parscauda sp. nov., similar to V. annulata, but V. intermedia and V. multifasciata do not have nasal scales. V. parscauda sp. nov. has 55–94 black dorsal bands and mottled or black ventral scales terminating approximately 2/3rds of the body into formed black rings, suggesting that hyper-banding is a characteristic of the tropical monsoon snakes (V. intermedia, V. multifasciata and V. parscauda). The confined locality, potential habitat disruption due to mining activities, and scarcity of specimens indicates an urgent conservation concern for this species.

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Hollandt, Tina, Markus Baur, and Anna-Caroline Wöhr. "Animal-appropriate housing of ball pythons (Python regius)—Behavior-based evaluation of two types of housing systems." PLOS ONE 16, no. 5 (2021): e0247082. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247082.

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Considering animal welfare, animals should be kept in animal-appropriate and stress-free housing conditions in all circumstances. To assure such conditions, not only basic needs must be met, but also possibilities must be provided that allow animals in captive care to express all species-typical behaviors. Rack housing systems for snakes have become increasingly popular and are widely used; however, from an animal welfare perspective, they are no alternative to furnished terrariums. In this study, we therefore evaluated two types of housing systems for ball pythons (Python regius) by considering the welfare aspect animal behavior. In Part 1 of the study, ball pythons (n = 35) were housed individually in a conventional rack system. The pythons were provided with a hiding place and a water bowl, temperature control was automatic, and the lighting in the room served as indirect illumination. In Part 2 of the study, the same ball pythons, after at least 8 weeks, were housed individually in furnished terrariums. The size of each terrarium was correlated with the body length of each python. The terrariums contained substrate, a hiding place, possibilities for climbing, a water basin for bathing, an elevated basking spot, and living plants. The temperature was controlled automatically, and illumination was provided by a fluorescent tube and a UV lamp. The shown behavior spectrum differed significantly between the two housing systems (p < 0.05). The four behaviors basking, climbing, burrowing, and bathing could only be expressed in the terrarium. Abnormal behaviors that could indicate stereotypies were almost exclusively seen in the rack system. The results show that the housing of ball pythons in a rack system leads to a considerable restriction in species-typical behaviors; thus, the rack system does not meet the requirements for animal-appropriate housing.

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Magdua, Alven, and Marites Sanguila. "First Record of Ophiophagy in Philippine Groundsnake Stegonotus muelleri on the Non-banded Philippine Burrowing Snake Oxyrhabdium modestum." Philippine Journal of Science 152, no. 2 (2023). http://dx.doi.org/10.56899/152.02.12.

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The Philippine groundsnake Stegonotus muelleri is a non-venomous colubrid widely distributed in the Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex. Despite the species’ regular sightings and occurrence in field surveys, sparse is known about its natural history, including its dietary habits. Although ophiophagy is frequent among elapids, Stegonotus muelleri has not been specifically reported to consume snakes. We provide the first account of ophiophagy in a colubrid snake, Stegonotus muelleri, on a lamphrophiid snake, Oxyrhabdium modestum, providing a glimpse into the species trophic role as a snake-eating predator, and suspected post- feeding behavior (limited mobility and aboveground perching spot) – essential information that augments the gaps in our understanding of the species’ natural history.

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Macrì, Simone, Ida-Maria Aalto, Rémi Allemand, and Nicolas Di-Poï. "Reconstructing the origin and early evolution of the snake brain." Science Advances 9, no. 39 (2023). http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adi6888.

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Snakes represent one-eighth of terrestrial vertebrate diversity, encompassing various lifestyles, ecologies, and morphologies. However, the ecological origins and early evolution of snakes are controversial topics in biology. To address the paucity of well-preserved fossils and the caveats of osteological traits for reconstructing snake evolution, we applied a different ecomorphological hypothesis based on high-definition brain reconstructions of extant Squamata. Our predictive models revealed a burrowing lifestyle with opportunistic behavior at the origin of crown snakes, reflecting a complex ancestral mosaic brain pattern. These findings emphasize the importance of quantitatively tracking the phenotypic diversification of soft tissues—including the accurate definition of intact brain morphological traits such as the cerebellum—in understanding snake evolution and vertebrate paleobiology. Furthermore, our study highlights the power of combining extant and extinct species, soft tissue reconstructions, and osteological traits in tracing the deep evolution of not only snakes but also other groups where fossil data are scarce.

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Journal articles on the topic 'Burrowing snake'

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