Neonate plains garter snakes (Thamnophis radix) are attracted to conspecific skin extracts |
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Authors: | B M Graves M Halpern |
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Institution: | Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, State University of New York, Brooklyn 11203. |
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Abstract: | Several species of snakes aggregate in areas previously marked by conspecifics. However, species differences and sources of such chemical signals have received little attention. Methylene chloride-soluble substances from shed epidermis of adult plains garter snakes attracted neonate conspecifics, whereas similar extracts from a congener and a viperid did not. The functional significance of such conspecific aggregation may relate to location of hibernacula, foraging areas, osmoregulation, or predation avoidance. |
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