Title |
Molecular basis for prey relocation in viperid snakes
|
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Published in |
BMC Biology, March 2013
|
DOI | 10.1186/1741-7007-11-20 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Anthony J Saviola, David Chiszar, Chardelle Busch, Stephen P Mackessy |
Abstract |
Vertebrate predators use a broad arsenal of behaviors and weaponry for overcoming fractious and potentially dangerous prey. A unique array of predatory strategies occur among snakes, ranging from mechanical modes of constriction and jaw-holding in non-venomous snakes, to a chemical means, venom, for quickly dispatching prey. However, even among venomous snakes, different prey handling strategies are utilized, varying from the strike-and-hold behaviors exhibited by highly toxic elapid snakes to the rapid strike-and-release envenomation seen in viperid snakes. For vipers, this mode of envenomation represents a minimal risk predatory strategy by permitting little contact with or retaliation from prey, but it adds the additional task of relocating envenomated prey which has wandered from the attack site. This task is further confounded by trails of other unstruck conspecific or heterospecific prey. Despite decades of behavioral study, researchers still do not know the molecular mechanism which allows for prey relocation. |
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Geographical breakdown
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United States | 1 | 8% |
Peru | 1 | 8% |
Malaysia | 1 | 8% |
Mexico | 1 | 8% |
Spain | 1 | 8% |
Unknown | 4 | 33% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 2 | 17% |
Scientists | 1 | 8% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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Germany | 1 | <1% |
Portugal | 1 | <1% |
United Kingdom | 1 | <1% |
Sudan | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 111 | 95% |
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Researcher | 21 | 18% |
Student > Master | 18 | 15% |
Student > Bachelor | 14 | 12% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 7 | 6% |
Other | 23 | 20% |
Unknown | 12 | 10% |
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Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 16 | 14% |
Environmental Science | 5 | 4% |
Neuroscience | 3 | 3% |
Computer Science | 2 | 2% |
Other | 15 | 13% |
Unknown | 19 | 16% |