Fixed prey cue preferences among Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri) raised on different long-term diets

• Published in: Evolutionary ecology Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Holding, Matthew L, Kern, Edward H, Denton, Robert D, Gibbs, H. Lisle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.02.2016; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal Ecology; Animal populations; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Diet; Ecology; Evolutionary Biology; Genotype & phenotype; Lacertilia; Life Sciences; lizards; mice; odors; Original Paper; phenotype; Plant Sciences; Poisonous snakes; Predation; predators; Rattlesnakes; Sistrurus; Sistrurus miliarius barbouri; Snakes; Pigmy rattlesnake; Vomeronasal organ; Prey preference; Tongue-flick; Plasticity
• ISSN: 0269-7653; 1573-8477
• DOI: 10.1007/s10682-015-9787-2

Chemoreception is often crucial to the interaction between predators and their prey. Investigating the mechanisms controlling predator chemical preference gives insight into how selection molds traits directly involved in ecological interactions between species. In snakes, prey cue preferences are influenced by both direct genetic control and experience-based plasticity. We assessed prey preference in a group of Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnakes that had eaten only mice or lizards over a 5 year period to test whether genetics or plasticity primarily determine the preference phenotype. Our results provide evidence for genetic determination of preference for lizard chemical cues in pigmy rattlesnakes. Snakes preferred the scent of lizards, regardless of their initial diet, and the response to mouse scent did not differ from the water-only control. We discuss these findings in light of previous studies that manipulated snake diets over shorter timescales.