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Movement and dispersion of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca laurenti in relation to habitat

Movement and dispersion of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca laurenti in relation to habitat
Movement and dispersion of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca laurenti in relation to habitat

A study of the ecology of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca (f. Colubridae, Ophidia) was conducted on snakes from several locations within the New Forest, Hampshire, England. Field studies, which used a combination of radiotelemetry (with externally attached transmitters) and visual location, were supplemented by laboratory studies on the physiology, thermal biology and behaviour of the species. Short term movements in the field were generally small, with the median hourly rate equalling 0.54 m/ hr (n= 1074) and the equivalent daily rate being 13.30 m/ day (n= 138). Maximum movement rates were 44.26 m/ hr and 166.81 m/ day. Movement was greatest at intermediate field temperatures (typically 19.0o to 21.9oC). No difference was observed in movement between the sexes. Activity recording indicated that the species is almost exclusively diurnal. Home range areas were calculated using convex polygon analysis and varied between 34 m2 and 17215 m2, with a median of 688 m2 (n= 55). These estimates were affected by sample size and observation period and were regarded as being underestimates of lifetime ranges. Although many habitat types were occupied, dry and humid heath, bracken and gorse/ bramble bushes were selected by C. austriaca. The importance of less frequently used habitat types and the provision of `corridors' between adjacent snake populations to the conservation of the species is discussed. The mean body temperature recorded in the field was 23.48oC ± 3.95 (n= 327), which was lower than the selected temperature measured in the laboratory (29.6^oC ± 3.15 (n= 324). This appeared to reflect an inability to sustain `preferred' body temperatures in the field due to climatic factors and the need for other behavioural considerations (e.g. foraging and cryptic anti-predator behaviour). A low food intake was suggested from field and laboratory observations. Low body temperatures, movement rates and food intake suggested that C. austriaca may be adapted to having a low energy throughput. (DX86650)

University of Southampton
Gent, Antony Hugh
633b5258-880e-45dc-9391-2b55ab82927f
Gent, Antony Hugh
633b5258-880e-45dc-9391-2b55ab82927f

Gent, Antony Hugh (1988) Movement and dispersion of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca laurenti in relation to habitat. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

A study of the ecology of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca (f. Colubridae, Ophidia) was conducted on snakes from several locations within the New Forest, Hampshire, England. Field studies, which used a combination of radiotelemetry (with externally attached transmitters) and visual location, were supplemented by laboratory studies on the physiology, thermal biology and behaviour of the species. Short term movements in the field were generally small, with the median hourly rate equalling 0.54 m/ hr (n= 1074) and the equivalent daily rate being 13.30 m/ day (n= 138). Maximum movement rates were 44.26 m/ hr and 166.81 m/ day. Movement was greatest at intermediate field temperatures (typically 19.0o to 21.9oC). No difference was observed in movement between the sexes. Activity recording indicated that the species is almost exclusively diurnal. Home range areas were calculated using convex polygon analysis and varied between 34 m2 and 17215 m2, with a median of 688 m2 (n= 55). These estimates were affected by sample size and observation period and were regarded as being underestimates of lifetime ranges. Although many habitat types were occupied, dry and humid heath, bracken and gorse/ bramble bushes were selected by C. austriaca. The importance of less frequently used habitat types and the provision of `corridors' between adjacent snake populations to the conservation of the species is discussed. The mean body temperature recorded in the field was 23.48oC ± 3.95 (n= 327), which was lower than the selected temperature measured in the laboratory (29.6^oC ± 3.15 (n= 324). This appeared to reflect an inability to sustain `preferred' body temperatures in the field due to climatic factors and the need for other behavioural considerations (e.g. foraging and cryptic anti-predator behaviour). A low food intake was suggested from field and laboratory observations. Low body temperatures, movement rates and food intake suggested that C. austriaca may be adapted to having a low energy throughput. (DX86650)

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Published date: 1988

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Local EPrints ID: 461094
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/461094
PURE UUID: 9b4321dc-4270-4ccc-83d8-f8b979faabb6

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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 18:35
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 18:44

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Author: Antony Hugh Gent

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