Evidence of Non-Strike Induced Chemosensory Searching by Eastern Copperheads (Agkistrodon Contortrix) During Cicada Predation

<p>New evidence of active foraging by eastern copperheads, <italic>Agkistrodon contortrix</italic>, contradicts its description as an envenomation-reliant ambush predator. Evidence of active foraging through non-strike induced chemosensory searching (NSICS) was previously found in cottonmouths (<italic>A. piscivorus</italic>) but could not be replicated with A. contortrix in later experiments. I observed foraging methods similar to non-strike induced chemoreception when specifically predating upon cicada nymphs during seasonal emergences. I hypothesized that A. contortrix actively forage using chemoreception without envenomation, and that tongue flick rates would be higher during foraging behaviors than during non-predatory or resting behaviors. Behavior of twelve <italic>A. contortrix</italic> were filmed at a campsite in Kentucky during foraging excursions in the summer of 2020. Recordings were analyzed for tongue flick rates and presence or absence of seven behavioral activities. Each minute of recording was assigned to a behavioral category (ground movement, climbing, post-feeding movement, pausing, periscoping, eating, and fighting) based on the predominant behavior occurring within that minute and ecological context of the recording. We found statistically significant differences between tongue flick rates during predatory and non-predatory behaviors, differences among distinct foraging categories, and no differences in tongue flick rate between resting/non-chemoreceptive behaviors. We also identified significant differences in predatory movement behavior tongue flick rates of successful events of tracking cicadas to unsuccessful attempts. My results support the hypothesis that tongue flick rates in movement categories are elevated to levels expected with predatory chemoreceptive searching, even though <italic>A. contortrix</italic> did not envenomate prey items. Increases in tongue flick rates for trials that involved snakes encountering a cicada suggests that chemoreception is a discriminating factor for tracking cicada prey. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Eastern Kentucky University

Year

2021

Author dc:creator

• Gull, Henderson Cyrenius

• Agkistrodon
• Agkistrodon contortrix
• Chemosensory
• Predation
• SICS
• Tongue flicks
• Other Animal Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Henderson Cyrenius Gull

Repository record dc:identifier

https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/720

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1718