Predation of Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata, Tropiduridae) by Siphlophis leucocephalus (Squamata, Dipsadidae)

Abstract

The discovery of predator-prey relationships are relevant to improve the knowledge regarding ecological processes, such as trophic ecology, mortality sources, and paths of fluxes of matter and energy in ecosystems. Snakes of the genus Siphlophis feed on mammals, birds, frogs, lizards, lizard eggs, and snakes, whereas Tropidurus hispidus lizards are prey for both invertebrates and vertebrates. Here, we report a predator-prey relationship involving T. hispidus and Siphlophis leucocephalus. As a behavioural strategy to reduce the resistance promoted by appendages and body scales, thus diminishing the time and energy expended to swallow the prey, the individual of S. leucocephalus ingested the lizard headfirst. Tropidurus hispidus has mucronate scales that may be difficult to manipulate and swallow. Predators might die because of swallowing lizards with spiny and pointed dermic structures because of perforation of organs and of asphyxia. With this report, we added knowledge about the trophic ecology of S. leucocephalus and mortality sources for T. hispidus, besides reinforcing the idea of the importance of the consumption of lizards by snakes of the tribe Pseudoboini and of the genus Siphlophis.

Keywords: diet, feeding habits, headfirst, Pseudoboini, saurophagy, Xenodontinae.