A contribution to the understanding of the self-rubbing behaviour in psammophiid snakes (Squamata: Psammophiidae)

作者：de Pury Stephanie^*; Boehme Wolfgang

来源：Salamandra, 2013, 49(1): 18-30.

• Squamata
• Colubroidea
• Psammophiidae
• scanning electron microscopy
• gas chromatography
• behaviour

The family Psammophiidae is unique in its behaviour among snakes in applying a special secretion of their nasal glands on their own abdomen and flanks. This so-called self-rubbing behaviour has not been experimentally analysed so far. We provide evidence that self-rubbing behaviour is temperature-dependent and helps to protect the snakes against desiccation due to the lipids contained in the nasal secretion. A SEM study of the scale ultrastructure of several psammophiids shows that the complex ultrastructure serves to optimally keep the secretion on the scale surface. We furthermore document the occurrence of self-rubbing behaviour for two species of Rhamphiophis, viz. R. rostratus and R. rubropunctatus, bringing the number of psammophiid genera from which this behaviour is known to seven (of the eight currently recognised genera), from two more species, viz. Psammophis elegans, and Psammophylax acutus.

• 出版日期2013-4-30