Life History Aspects of Oxyrhopus trigeminus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Two Sites in Southeastern Brazil

We studied the reproduction, sexual dimorphism, and diet of Oxyrhopus trigeminus from two sites in southeastern Brazil. Oxyrhopus trigeminus from Irape Power Plant (IPP) contained vitellogenic follicles and eggs in both rainy and dry seasons and clutch size was not correlated with female snout vent length (SVL). Sexual dimorphism was evident. Females attain larger SVL but males have longer tails. We found three females from Santa Clara Power Plant (SPP) with vitellogenic follicles, all of them collected in the dry season. Mean SVLs of adult females from IPP and SPP were 717.7 mm and 786 mm, respectively. Mean SVL of adult males from IPP was 553.4 mm and the single adult male from SPP was 507 mm. The diet of O. trigeminus from IPP included rodents (46.7%), lizards (33.3%), and birds (20%). The volume of individual prey items was not correlated with snake SVL. The diet of O. trigeminus from SPP included rodents (37.5%), lizards (37.5%), birds (12.5%), and marsupials (12.5%). It seemed that an ontogenetic shift may occur in individuals of this snake species from IPP.

CNPq

CNPq [proc. 151663/2010-6]

FIP/PUC Minas (Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa of Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Minas Gerais)

FIP/PUC Minas (Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa of Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Minas Gerais)

Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)

FAPEMIG (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais)