Publication Date

2000

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

LCSH

Thamnophis radix; Garter snakes--Great Plains--Morphology; Garter snakes--Great Plains--Behavior; Sex differentiation--Endocrine aspects; Snakes--Great Plains

Abstract

Sexual dimorphism in body, head and tail dimensions is wide spread in snakes. Sex differences in behavior appear to be less common but occur in some species. However, information on sexual dimorphism is often limited to adults and information on neonates is frequently lacking. The objectives of this study were to 1) characterize patterns of sexual dimorphism in neonate and adult Plains garter snakes (Thamnophis radix), 2) test for sex differences in behavior and 3) document corticosterone levels in wild-caught and captive snakes and test for possible effects of corticosterone on behavior. Sexual dimorphism in body size was absent in neonates (71 offspring in six families) whereas adult females were larger than males (64 wild-caught adults). Sexual dimorphism in head dimensions was present in neonates but not in adults. Tail length dimorphism was male-biased in both neonates and adults. Significant sex effects on growth in body size and head dimensions were absent in snakes reared to 11 months (51 snakes in five families) but present for growth in tail length. Plains garter snakes typically flee when threatened but will sometimes strike defensively. In the closely related Butler's garter snake (T. butleri), the likelihood of striking is greater in males than females. In this study, sex differences in behavior were lacking among neonates (64 snakes in six families) and adults (24 wild-caught snakes). However, there was a significant age-by-sex interaction among snakes reared to 11 months of age (19 snakes in two families), with strike frequency of males increasing considerably. Effects of corticosterone on behavior are well documented in species that maintain territories or compete for mates. For non-territorial species, like the Plains garter snake, corticosterone may have different behavioral effects. Snakes were given corticosterone implants to raise hormone levels and measures of activity were scored before and after implantation. Unfortunately, corticosterone implants were ineffective and behavioral scores were uncorrelated with corticosterone levels. Corticosterone levels were much higher in wild-caught snakes than in neonates and in wild-caught females than in males, perhaps due to stress associated with capture.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [58]-61)

Extent

vii, 61 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

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Text

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