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The scent of the others: chemical recognition in two distinct populations of the European whip snake, Hierophis viridiflavus

In: Amphibia-Reptilia
Authors:
Sara Fornasiero Museum of Natural History and Territory, University of Pisa, Via Roma 79, I-56011 Calci (Pisa), Italy

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Federica Dendi Museum of Natural History and Territory, University of Pisa, Via Roma 79, I-56011 Calci (Pisa), Italy

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Elisa Bresciani Museum of Natural History and Territory, University of Pisa, Via Roma 79, I-56011 Calci (Pisa), Italy

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Elena Cecchinelli Museum of Natural History and Territory, University of Pisa, Via Roma 79, I-56011 Calci (Pisa), Italy

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Marco Zuffi Museum of Natural History and Territory, University of Pisa, Via Roma 79, I-56011 Calci (Pisa), Italy

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Online Publication Date:
01 Jan 2011
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Abstract

Isolated populations of a given species may diverge from conspecifics for a certain series of traits. It is of particular interest when this divergence involves the signals and the related responses used by sexually reproducing animals to identify prospective mating partners. Using behavioural trials during reproductive season, we studied pheromone-mediated response between insular and mainland European whip snakes, Hierophis viridiflavus. Our results revealed that both insular and mainland males can utilise both homotypic and heterotypic chemical cues. However, while insular snakes did not show any preference between the two types of chemical cues, mainland males preferred homotypic odours. These results, though preliminarly, show the existence of asymmetry in the displayed behavioural patterns and support the idea that isolated populations may evolve differences in communication systems.

Title:
The scent of the others: chemical recognition in two distinct populations of the European whip snake, Hierophis viridiflavus
Article Type:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/017353710X541850
Language:
English
Pages:
39–47
Keywords:
TRAILING BEHAVIOUR; PHEROMONES; ISLAND POPULATION; CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION
In:
Amphibia-Reptilia
In:
Volume 32: Issue 1
Publisher:
Brill
E-ISSN:
1568-5381
Print ISSN:
0173-5373
Subjects:
Biology & Environmental Sciences, Biology

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