Clutch size and hatchling morphology of Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus schotti (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae) from northeastern Brazil

Abstract (en):

We report on the clutch size and neonate morphology of Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus schotti, an oviparous snake species. A clutch of seven eggs was found in a rural area of Paraíba, Brazil. Neonates had an average total length of 181.29 mm and an average weight of 3.0 g, with females being larger sizes than males—a pattern consistent with the species’ known reproductive traits. Defensive behaviors observed in the neonates included cloacal discharge and substrate-burrowing. These findings offer new insights into the species’ natural history and highlight its early-life defensive strategies and developmental characteristics.

Abstract (es):

Se reporta el tamaño de la puesta y la morfología de neonatos de Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus schotti, una especie de serpiente ovípara. Se encontró una puesta de siete huevos en una zona rural de Paraíba, Brasil. Los neonatos presentaron una longitud total promedio de 181,29 mm y un peso promedio de 3,0 g, con las hembras siendo de mayor tamaño que los machos, un patrón consistente con los rasgos reproductivos conocidos de la especie. Entre los comportamientos defensivos observados en los neonatos se incluyen la descarga cloacal y el ocultamiento en el sustrato. Estos hallazgos aportan nuevos datos sobre la historia natural de la especie y destacan sus estrategias defensivas y características de desarrollo en etapas tempranas.

Keywords:

reproductive ecology, embryonic development, sexual dimorphism, neonate behavior, Atlantic Forest (en)

ecología reproductiva, desarrollo embrionario, dimorfismo sexual, bosque atlántico, comportamiento de neonatos (es)

Dimensions

PlumX

Visitas

35

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alencar, L. R. V., & Nascimento, L. B. (2014). Natural history data of a common snake suggest interpopulational variation and conservatism in life history traits: the case of Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus. The Herpetological Journal, 24(2), 79-85.

Amaral, J. M. S., Araújo, P., Barbosa, V. N., & França, F. G. R. (2020). First record of egg development time and hatchling morphology of Amerotyphlops paucisquamus (Dixon & Hendricks, 1979) (Scolecophidia: Typhlopidae) from northeast Brazil. Revista de Ciências Ambientais, 14(3), 79-83.

Amaral, J. M. S., Barbosa, V. do N., Sampaio, I. L. R., Morais, M. da S. R. de, & França, F. G. R. (2021). Growth rates and prey-handling behavior of hatchling Helicops angulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes; Hydropsini) in the atlantic forest of northeastern Brazil. Acta Ambiental Catarinense, 18(1), 97-104.

Amaral, J. M. S., Barbosa, V. N., & França, F. G. R. (2022). Clutch size, hatching time, and hatchling morphology of Boettger's Sipo Chironius flavolineatus Jan 1863 (Serpentes: Colubridae: Colubrini) in the northeast Atlantic Forest. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 18(2), 237-239.

Ascenso, A. C., Costa, J. C., & Prudente, A. L. (2019). Taxonomic revision of the Erythrolamprus reginae species group, with description of a new species from Guiana Shield (Serpentes: Xenodontinae). Zootaxa, 4586(1), 65-97. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4586.1.3

Barbosa, V. N., Silva, A. S., Silva, A. S., Silva, É. F., Linnik, J., Dutra, M. L., & França, F. G. R. (2023). Clutch size and hatchling morphology of Parrot snake Leptophis liocercus in the north-east Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Herpetological Bulletin, 166, 38-39. https://doi.org/10.33256/hb166.3839

Brown, G. P., & Shine, R. (2006). Effects of nest temperature and moisture on phenotypic traits of hatchling snakes (Tropidonophis mairii, Colubridae) from tropical Australia. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 89, 159-168.

Brown, G. P., & Shine, R. (2018). Immune configuration in hatchling snakes is affected by incubation moisture, and is linked to subsequent growth and survival in the field. Journal of Experimental Zoology - A, 329, 222-229.

Burbrink, F. T., Grazziotin, F. G., Pyron, R. A., Cundall, D., Donnellan, S., Irish, F., Keogh, J. S., Murph, R.W., Noonan, B., Raxworthy, C. J., Ruane, S., Lemmon, A. R., Lemmon, E. M., & Zaher, H. (2020). Interrogating genomic-scale data for Squamata (lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians) shows no support for key traditional morphological relationships. Systematic biology, 69(3), 502-520. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syz062

Campbell, J. A., & Murphy, J. E. (1984). Reproduction in five species of Paraguayan colubrids. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, 87(1/2), 63-65. https://doi.org/10.2307/3627766

Corrêa, D. N., Quintela, F. M., & Loebmann, D. (2016). Feeding ecology of Erythrolamprus jaegeri jaegeri (Günter, 1858) and Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus sublineatus (Cope, 1860) in the coastal zone of Subtropical Brazil (Serpentes, Dipsadidae). Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 88(1), 293-308. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201520140570

Dixon, J. R. (1989). A key and checklist to the Neotropical snake genus Liophis with country lists and maps. Smithsonian Herpetological Information Service, 79, 1-40. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.23317515.79.1

Dixon, J. R., & Markezich, A. L. (1992). Taxonomy and geographic variation of Liophis poecilogyrus (Wied) from South America (Serpentes: Colubridae). Texas Journal of Science, 44, 131-131.

Fernandes, D. S. (2006). Revisão sistemática de Liophis poecilogyrus (Wied-Neuwied, 1825) (Serpentes: Colubridae) [Doctoral dissertation, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro].

França, F. G. R., Vasconcellos, A., Alves, R. R. N., & Pereira-Filho, G. A. (2023). An introduction to the knowledge of animal diversity and conservation in the most threatened forests of Brazil. In G. A. Pereira-Filho, F. G. R. França, R. R. N. Alves, & A. Vasconcellos (Eds.), Animal biodiversity and conservation in Brazil’s Northern Atlantic Forest (pp. 1-5). Springer.

Grazziotin, F. G., Zaher, H., Murphy, R. W., Scrocchi, G., Benavides, M. A., Zhang, Y. P., & Bonatto, S. L. (2012). Molecular phylogeny of the New World Dipsadidae (Serpentes: Colubroidea): A reappraisal. Cladistics, 28(5), 437-459. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-0031.2012.00393.x

Greene, H. W. (1988). Antipredator mechanisms in reptiles. In C. Gans, & R. B. Huey (Eds.), Biology of the Reptilian (pp. 1-152). Alan R. Liss.

Guedes, T. B., & Guedes, A. (2020). Notes on court and copula, fertility, nest, eggs and hatchlings of the Caatinga’s black snake Boiruna sertaneja Zaher, 1996 (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from northeastern Brazil. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 92, e20190588. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202020190588

Ji, X., & Du, W. G. (2001). The effects of thermal and hydric environments on hatching success, embryonic use of energy and hatchling traits in a colubrid snake, Elaphe carinata. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 129(2-3), 461-471. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1095-6433(01)00271-9

Marques, O. A. V., Eterovic, A., & Sazima, I. (2019). Serpentes da Mata Atlântica: Guia ilustrado para a Serra do Mar. Ponto A.

Marques, O. A. V., & Sazima, I. (2004). História natural dos répteis da Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins. In O. A. V. Marques, & W. Dulepa (Eds.), Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins: ambientes físicos, flora e fauna (pp. 257–277). Holos.

Marques, O. A. V., Sazima, I., & Guedes, T. B. (2017). Serpentes da Caatinga: guia ilustrado. Editora Ponto A.

Melgarejo, A. R. (2008). Serpentes peçonhentas do Brasil. In J. L. C. Cardoso, F. O. S. França, F. H. Wen, C. M. S. Málaque, & J. R. V. Haddad (Eds.), Animais Peçonhentos no Brasil: biologia, clínica e terapêutica dos acidentes (pp. 42-70). Sarvier.

Marques, R., da Silva, W. P., & Coelho, F. E. A. (2021). Clutch size, morphology, hatching time and offspring behavior of Pseudoboa nigra (Dipsadidae: Pseudoboini) from Caatinga. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 17(1), 122-125.

Mesquita, P. C. M. D., Passos, D. C., Borges-Nojosa, D. M., & Cechin, S. Z. (2013). Ecologia e história natural das serpentes de uma área de Caatinga no nordeste brasileiro. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia, 53(8), 99-113. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0031-10492013000800001

Morais, M. S. R., França, R. C., Delfim, F. R., & França, F. G. R. (2018). Eggs and hatchling morphometry of Spilotes sulphureus (Wagler in Spix, 1824) (Serpentes: Colubridae: Colubrinae: Colubroidea: Caenophidia) from northeastern Brazil. Herpetology Notes, 11, 441-444.

Muscat, E., Rotenberg, E., & Machado, I. F. (2019). Oviposition observation of Tropidodryas serra (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Neotropical Biology and Conservation, 14(1), 137-141. https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.14.e35410

Oliveira, M. C., Duarte, R. G., Silva, E. G., Teles, D. A., Filho, J. A. A., & Almeida, W. O. (2021). First record of Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) predation by Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus (Colubridae). Herpetology Notes, 14, 133-134.

Pereira Filho, G. A., Vieira, W. L. S., Alves, R. R. N., & França, F. G. R. (2017). Serpentes da Paraíba: diversidade e conservação. Gentil Alves Pereira Filho.

Peters, J. A., & Orejas-Miranda, B. (1970). Catalogue of the Neotropical Squamata. Part I. Snakes. Bulletin, 297, 1-347.

Pinto, R. R., & Fernandes, R. (2004). Reproductive biology and diet of Liophis poecilogyrus poecilogyrus (Serpentes, Colubridae) from southeastern Brazil. Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology, 3(1), 9-14. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v3i1p9-14

Pizzatto, L., & Marques, O. A. V. (2002). Reproductive biology of the false coral snake Oxyrhopus guibei (Colubridae) from southeastern Brazil. Amphibia-Reptilia, 23, 495-504.

Pizzatto, L., Jordão, R. S., & Marques, O. A. V. (2008). Overview of Reproductive Strategies in Xenodontini (Serpentes: Colubridae: Xenodontinae) with New Data for Xenodon Neuwiedii and Waglerophis Merremii. Journal of Herpetology, 42(1), 153-162. https://doi.org/10.1670/06-150R2.1

Prieto, Y. A., Giraudo, A. R., & López, M. S. (2012). Diet and sexual dimorphism of Liophis poecilogyrus (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) from the wetland regions of northeast Argentina. Journal of Herpetology, 46(3), 402-406. https://doi.org/10.1670/10-228

Qu, Y.-F., Li, H., Gao, J.-F., & Ji, X. (2011). Geographical variation in reproductive traits and trade-offs between size and number of eggs in the king ratsnake, Elaphe carinata: Female reproduction in a snake. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 104(3), 701-709. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.2011.01749.x

Quintela, F. M., Marques, W. C., & Loebmann, D. (2017). Reproductive biology of the Green Ground Snake Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus sublineatus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) in Subtropical Brazil. Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 89(3), 2189-2197. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201720160805

Scartozzoni, R. R., Almeida-Santos, S. M., & Salomão, M. G. (2005): Aspectos da reprodução da cobra bicuda Oxybelis fulgidus (Serpentes: Colubridae). Publicações Avulsas do Instituto Pau Brasil, 8(9), 85-90.

Seigel, R. A., & Ford, N. B. (1991). Phenotypic plasticity in the reproductive characteristics of an oviparous snake, Elaphe guttata: Implications for life history studies. Herpetologica, 4(3), 301-307.

Tonini, J. F. R., Beard, K. H., Ferreira, R. B., Jetz, W., & Pyron, R. A. (2016). Fully-sampled phylogenies of squamates reveal evolutionary patterns in threat status. Biological Conservation, 204, 23-31.

Uetz, P., Freed, P., Aguilar, R., Reyes, F., Kudera, J., & Hošek, J. (Eds.). (2024). The Reptile Database. http://www.reptile-database.org

Vitt, L. J. (1983). Ecology of an anuran-eating guild of terrestrial tropical snakes. Herpetologica, 39(1), 52-66.

Vitt, L. J., & Vangilder, L. D. (1983). Ecology of a snake community in northeastern Brazil. Amphibia-Reptilia, 4(2), 273-296.

Zaher, H., Murphy, R. W., Arredondo, J. C., Graboski, R., Machado-Filho, P. R., Mahlow, K., Montingelli, G., Botallo, A., Orlov, N., Wilkinson, M., Zhang, Y. P., & Grazziotin, F. G. (2019). Large-scale molecular phylogeny, morphology, divergence-time estimation, and the fossil record of advanced caenophidian snakes (Squamata: Serpentes). PLoS ONE, 14(5), e0216148. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216148

How to Cite

Francisco da Silva, Élida, Lima Dutra, M., Soares da Silva, A., Monique da Silva Amaral, J., do Nascimento Barbosa, V., & Gustavo Rodrigues França, F. (2025). Clutch size and hatchling morphology of Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus schotti (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae) from northeastern Brazil. Biota Colombiana, 26, e1267. https://doi.org/10.21068/2539200X.1267
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2025 Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander Von Humboldt