Nerodia Rhombifer Research Articles

Ventilatory response of the diamondback water snake,Natrix rhombifera to hypoxia, hypercapnia and increased oxygen demand

Simultaneous measurements of ventilatory frequency, tidal volume, O2 uptake, CO2 output and cardiac frequency were made in the diamondback water snake,Natrix rhombifera while breathing hypoxic (15% to 5% O2 in N2) or hypercarbic (2% to 10% CO2 and 21% O2 in N2) gases. The snakes responded to hypoxia by increasing tidal volume and decreasing ventilatory frequency resulting in little change in ventilation (50% increase at 5% inspired O2), or O2 uptake and only a light increase in CO2 output. Hypercarbia to 4.2% inspired CO2 resulted in a slight hyperventilation but ventilation was depressed at 6.3% inspired CO2 and became erratic at higher concentrations. The resting rate of O2 uptake was maintained throughout hypercapnia. Heart rate increased during hypoxia and decreased during hypercapnia. Cutaneous O2 uptake increased during extreme hypoxia (5% inspired O2) and cutaneous CO2 output increased during hypercapnia, probably due to changes in the body-to-ambient gas gradients (Crawford and Schultetus, 1970). Both pulmonary oxygen uptake and ventilation were dramatically increased immediately following 10–15 min experimental dives. The increased ventilation was achieved primarily through an increased tidal volume.

Foods and Habitats of Aquatic Snakes (Reptilia, Serpentes) in a Louisiana Swamp

The foods and habitats of seven species of aquatic snakes were investigated in a Louisiana swamp, the Atchafalaya River Basin. Nerodia rhombifera was the most abundant species, and N. cyclopion, the second most common species, was an ecological associate. Stomachs of 796 aquatic snakes were examined. N. rhombifera and N. cyclopion fed mainly upon fish, and Agkistrodon piscivorus fed upon fish and other vertebrates. Catfish were frequently ingested by N. rhombifera, and A. piscivorus, but rarely by N. cyclopion. N. fasciata showed preferences for anurans and fish, and N. erythrogaster for anurans. Regina grahami and R. rigida fed upon crayfish. N. rhombifera and N. fasciata were observed utilizing crayfish burrows, and individuals of all seven aquatic species occasionally moved considerable distances overland. In the ecosystem under consideration, N. rhombifera and N. cyclopion are habitat generalists and food specialists; A. piscivorus is a habitat specialist and probably a food generalist.

Ventilation and gas exchange in the diamondback water snake,Natrix rhombifera

Simultaneous measurements of pulmonary and cutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, pulmonary ventilation and heart rate were made on the diamondback water snake,Natrix rhombifera at 28°C using body plethysmography. Resting lung volume, maximum lung volume and tracheal volume were also measured. The following mean values were measured in undisturbed snakes breathing room air: total (pulmonary and cutaneous) O2 uptake 46 μmol · (kg min)−1; total CO2 output, 49 μmol · (kg min)−1; tidal volume, 12 ml (BTPS) · kg−1; ventilatory rate, 6.9 min−1; heart rate, 42 min−1. From the measurements of tracheal volume, the effective (alveolar) ventilation was estimated as approximately 70% of total ventilation resulting in effective pulmonary $$P_{O_2 }$$ and $$P_{CO_2 }$$ of 130 Torr and 20 Torr respectively. Cutaneous exchange accounted for 8.1% of the total $$\dot M_{O_2 }$$ and 12.4% of the total $$\dot M_{CO_2 }$$ . Resting lung volume of anaesthetized snakes was 75 ml (BTPS) · kg−1, maximum lung volume was 341 ml (BTPS) · kg−1 and tracheal volume was 3.9 ml (BTPS) · kg−1.

The use of time by sympatric water snakes

Daily and seasonal activity of four sympatric species of Natricine water snakes was studied in southern Louisiana. Daily patterns were monitored nearly continuously from May to October 1975, under natural conditions. Nerodia (Natrix) cyclopion and N. fasciata were mostly diurnally active but N. fasciata became nocturnal in September. Nerodia rhombifera was consistently nocturnal as was Regina grahamii for the months of July, August, and September. Concurrent field studies indicated Regina grahamii was at peak abundance in the study area in March, long before the other species reached their maximum. Nerodia fasciata was the only species to shift its activity from a diurnal to nocturnal pattern and the only species to have a slightly bimodal seasonal abundance. Partitioning of the time resource appears to be an important factor in the coexistence of Nerodia cyclopion and N. rhombifera. They are both piscivorous predators, both are abundant during the warm summer months, and both share similar micro-habitat preferences. Their asynchronous periods of peak activity would serve to reduce competitive interactions.

Energetics for Activity in the Diamondback Water Snake, Natrix rhombifera

The diamondback water snake, Natrix rhombifera, exhibited significant daily cycles of rate of oxygen consumption () when acclimated at 15 and 35 C but not at 25 C. Routine activity followed the cycles at 15 and 35 C but not at 25 C. Oxygen consumption and total body lactate production during 10 min forced activity showed a high dependence (65.8%-85.9%) on anaerobiosis at all temperatures. The oxygen debt at 25 C could account for all of the energy required for gluconeogenesis of all the lacta te removed during the period of a measurable oxygen debt, but lactate removal and gluconeogenesis continued beyond this time. Muscle lactate was highest and muscle glycogen lowest immediately after activity. Both had returned to resting concentrations by 3 h after activity, at which time blood and liver lactate concentrations were still high. The continued rise in blood glucose during recovery and the lack of any significant change in liver glycogen during either activity or recovery indicate a high dependence on gluconeogenesis to remove the lactate formed and to restore muscle glycogen. The strong dependence on anaerobiosis during activity may be an adaptation to a semiaquatic life-style.

Visual Cues Mediating the Selection of Goldfish (Carassius auratus) by Two Species of Natrix

The utilization of visual cues in the selection of goldfish (Carassius auratus) by Natrix sipedon sipedon and Natrix rhombifera rhombifera was studied. The serpents were tested in black and gold water pans which contained gold and black fish. Activity, proximity to the

Metabolic response to temperature acclimation and T4 in the water snake

The metabolic responses of isolated liver tissue from thyroideetomized and hyperthyroid diamondback water snakes, Natrix rhombifera rhombifera, indicates that the temperature at which the animal is maintained governs the response of the target tissue to the hormone. There were no significant differences in the Q o 2 values and cytochrome oxidase activities of the thyroidectomized and hypothyroid animals acclimated to 15°C for 2 weeks; however, these values were significantly higher in the hyperthyroid and control individuals when acclimated to 32°C for the same time period. There was also found to be evidence of a compensatory mechanism for maintaining a high liver tissue oxygen consumption rate at a low acclimation temperature. This mechanism involves in part an induced increase in cytochrome oxidase activity.

The effect of acclimation on physiological responses to temperature in the snakes, thamnophis proximus and natrix rhombifera

1. 1. The critical thermal minimum of Thamnophis proximus was lower than that of Natrix rhombifera. 2. 2. The critical thermal maximum of N. rhombifera was higher than that of T. proximus at 15°C acclimation and lower at 30°C acclimation. 3. 3. There were significant differences in heart rate and oxygen consumption between species and acclimation groups at both high and low temperatures.

Comparative Effects of Hypoxia on Respiratory and Cardiac Function in Reptiles

reptiles show similar organ system responses to hypoxia and, by doing so, determine the relative importance of organ system responses compared to anaerobiosis in making the turtles so resistant. Accordingly, studies were made in snakes, lizards, and an alligator, of the effects of decreasing levels of ambient oxygen upon oxygen uptake, breathing rate, and heart rate. Certain analyses were also made of changes in duration of parts of the cardiac cycle.

The Gross Ovarian Morphology of the Diamond-Backed Water Snake, Natrix rhombifera, during the Reproductive Cycle

The Gross Ovarian Morphology of the Diamond-Backed Water Snake, Natrix rhombifera, during the Reproductive Cycle

THE OVARIAN HISTOLOGY OF THE DIAMOND-BACKED WATER SNAKE, NATRIX RHOMBIFERA DURING THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE.

Journal of MorphologyVolume 113, Issue 2 p. 245-260 Article The ovarian histology of the diamond-backed water snake, Natrix rhombifera during the reproductive cycle† T. W. Betz, T. W. Betz Department of Zoology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois I wish to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Clinton H. Conaway of the Zoology Department of the University of Missouri who served as my advisor during this study.Search for more papers by this author T. W. Betz, T. W. Betz Department of Zoology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois I wish to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Clinton H. Conaway of the Zoology Department of the University of Missouri who served as my advisor during this study.Search for more papers by this author First published: September 1963 https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1051130210Citations: 49 † Based on a Master of Arts thesis. Department of Zoology, University of Missouri, '60. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume113, Issue2September 1963Pages 245-260 RelatedInformation

New and Rare Oriental Serpents

Near the edge of this field there was another small pond which presumably received drift from application. Dead animals observed were a cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), a cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), 2 watersnakes (Natrix rhombifera), a leopard frog (Rana pipiens), and many insects including a number of large hydrophilid beetles. Living green tree frogs, leopard frogs, and red-eared turtles were present. A similar case of mass mortality was observed 7 mi. SW of Morgan City, Leflore Co., Mississippi which involved large numbers of fish, snakes, turtles, frogs, and several egrets. Several living Acris crepitans were found. Fowler's toads were constantly encountered in treated cotton fields in the

Channel Catfish Feeding on Diamond-Backed Water Snakes

Channel Catfish Feeding on Diamond-Backed Water Snakes

Surgical Anesthesia in Reptiles, with Special Reference to the Water Snake, Natrix rhombifera

. 1955. The ingestive, digestive and respiratory systems of the microhylid tadpole, Hypopachus aguae. Copeia 1955:120-7. SEDRA, S. N. 1950. The metamorphosis of the jaws and their muscles in the toad, Bufo regux1 RTON, G. L. 1943. The tadpole of Rhinophrynus dorsalis. Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. ichigan No. 472:1-7. PATERSON, N. F. 1945 The skull of Hym nochirus curtipes. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 115: laris Reuss, correlated with the animals' feeding habits. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 120:40549. SEDRA, S. N. AND M. 1. MICHAEL. 1957. The development of the skull, visceral arches, larynx and visceral muscles of the South African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis (Daudin) during the process of metamorphisis (from stage 55 to stage 66). Verh. Nederlandse Akad. Wet., afd. Natuurkunde, second series 5:1-80. SOKOL, O. M. 1959. Studien an pipiden Froschen. I. Die Kaulquappe von Hymenochirus curtipes Noble. Zool. Anz. 162:154-60. YUHAS, P. J. 1961. Breeding of the African Water Frog. Tropical Fish Hobbyist 9:10-14.

Absence of One Eye in a Frog

All of the above specimens were captured alive. Had we been provided with a collecting pistol, we might have collected many more specimens of the two small species of Sceloporus and Holbrookia texana. The Marnock hill is very rocky and in many places is covered by growths of cedar, scrubby deciduous trees and shrubs, opuntias, and other flora. A number of goats get most of their subsistence on its slopes and summit and it is surprising that it is still inhabited by so many species of small native animals. In the sheep regions in western Texas, the wooly grazers have destroyed much of the smaller fauna through retarding the growth of vegetation, and killing snails and reptiles with their hoofs. Along Helotes Creek, I have at different times collected or noticed specimens of Eumeces brevilineatus Cope, Sceloporus spinosus floridanius Baird, Leiolepisma laterale Say, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus gularis Baird and Girard, Natrix sipedon transversa Hallowell, Natrix rhombifera Hallowell, Storeria dekayi Holbrook, Thamnophis proximus Say, Pseudacris ornata Holbrook, Acris gryllus Le Conte, Rana catesbeiana Shaw, R. pipiens Schreber, at least two large species of Bufo, and other species which I do not now recall. Water turtles are numerous in the creek. Considering the nearness of the large and populous city of San Antonio, the fauna of the Helotes neighborhood, as regards number of species, seems singularly undisturbed by the flight of the past forty years. BAYLOR UNIVERSITY, WACO, TEXAS.

The Variations in the Number of Vertabrae and Ventral Scutes in Two Snakes of the Genus Regina

Previous articleNext article FreeThe Variations in the Number of Vertabrae and Ventral Scutes in Two Snakes of the Genus ReginaAlexander G. Ruthven, and Crystal ThompsonAlexander G. Ruthven Search for more articles by this author , and Crystal Thompson Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 47, Number 562Oct., 1913 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/279376 Views: 24 Citations: 5Citations are reported from Crossref PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Justin L. Lee, Adrian Thompson, Daniel G. Mulcahy Relationships between Numbers of Vertebrae, Scale Counts, and Body Size, with Implications for Taxonomy in Nightsnakes (Genus: Hypsiglena ), Journal of Herpetology 50, no.44 (Dec 2016): 616–620.https://doi.org/10.1670/15-066G.E. Anderson, S.M. Secor Differential growth of body segments explains ontogenetic shifts in organ position for the Diamondback Water Snake ( Nerodia rhombifer ), Canadian Journal of Zoology 94, no.99 (Sep 2016): 651–660.https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2015-0191 Shine Vertebral numbers in male and female snakes: the roles of natural, sexual and fecundity selection, Journal of Evolutionary Biology 13, no.33 (May 2000): 455–465.https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1420-9101.2000.00181.xL. E. Lindell, A. Forsman, J. Merilä Variation in number of ventral scales in snakes: effects on body size, growth rate and survival in the adder, Vipera berus, Journal of Zoology 230, no.11 (Mar 2009): 101–115.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1993.tb02675.xRobert R. Beatson ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETICAL CORRELATES OF DISRUPTIVE COLORATION IN THE WATER SNAKE, NATRIX S. SIPEDON, Evolution 30, no.22 (May 2017): 241–252.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.1976.tb00907.x