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Rev Biol Trop

Title:		Chemosensory age discrimination in the snake Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae)
Author(s):		Gabirot M; Picerno P; Valencia J; Lopez P; Martin J;
Address:		"Departamento de Ecologia Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain. marianne.gabirot@cefe.cnrs.fr"
Journal Title:		Rev Biol Trop
Year:		2012
Volume:		60
Issue:		4
Page Number:		1603 - 1611
DOI:		10.15517/rbt.v60i4.2077
ISSN/ISBN:		0034-7744 (Print) 0034-7744 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Many snakes are able to use their chemosensory system to detect scent of conspecifics, which is important in many social contexts. Age discrimination based on chemical cues may be especially important to ensure access to sexually mature potential partners. In this study, we used 24 individual Boa constrictor snakes (12 adults mature and 12 non-mature individuals) that had been captured in different areas of Ecuador, and were maintained in captivity at the Vivarium of Quito. We used tongue-flick experiments to examine whether these snakes were able to discriminate between scents from mature and non-mature individuals. Results showed that B. constrictor snakes used chemical cues to recognize conspecifics and that the scent of individuals of different ages elicited chemosensory responses of different magnitudes. The scents from adult conspecifics elicited the quickest and highest chemosensory responses (i.e., short latency times and high tongue-flick rates), although we did not find differential responses to scent of males and females. The magnitude of the responses was lower to scent of sub adult individuals, and then even lower to scent of juvenile snakes, but in all cases the scent of snakes was discriminated from a blank control. We discuss the potential chemical mechanisms that may allow age recognition and its implications for social and sexual behavior of this snake species"
Keywords:		"Age Factors Animals Behavior, Animal/*physiology Boidae/classification/*physiology Ecuador Female Male Pheromones/chemistry/*physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal Sexual Maturation/*physiology Social Behavior;"
Notes:		"MedlineGabirot, Marianne Picerno, Pablo Valencia, Jorge Lopez, Pilar Martin, Jose eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Costa Rica 2013/01/25 Rev Biol Trop. 2012 Dec; 60(4):1603-11. doi: 10.15517/rbt.v60i4.2077"