ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
Chemoreception
;
garter snakes
;
Thamnophis sirtalis
;
chemical cues
;
Lumbricus terrestris
;
earthworm
;
Pimephales promelas
;
fish
;
prey odors
;
glycopeptide
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Materials previously shown to elicit increased tongue-flicking and prey attack in garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) were isolated from both earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) and fish (Pimephales promelas). Both high- and low-molecular-weight components from earthworms and fish stimulated attacks and increased tongue-flicking in previously unfed neonate garter snakes relative to distilled water controls. Earthworm collagen was also effective, but even concentrated fractions were less effective than raw extract. Conflicting reports on the effectiveness of collagen suggest that the salient chemical(s) is a smaller molecule tightly bound to collagen and resisting standard purification methods.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01021268
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