A REPORT ON A CASE OF MELANISM IN A SPECIMEN OF Crotalus durissus terrificus (LAURENTI, 1768)

R. J. DA SILVA(1), M. R. M. FONTES(2), R. R. RODRIGUES(1), E. M. BRUDER(2), M. F. B. STEIN(1), G. P. M. SIPOLI(1), R. PINHÃO(1), C. A. M. LOPES(1)

(1)Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals – CEVAP – UNESP, Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Brazil, (2)Department of Physics and Biophysics of the Institute of Biosciences of São Paulo State University - UNESP – Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

ABSTRACT. This report documents a case of a melanic specimen of Crotalus durissus terrificus (Laurenti, 1768) found in Bofete, São Paulo State, Brazil. The authors describe this melanic snake, determine the electrophoretic pattern of its venom, and compare the venom of this specimen against that of normal Crotalus durissus terrificus. This report is very important because melanism is a rare chromatic anomaly.

KEY WORDS: chromatic anomalies, melanism, Crotalus durissus terrificus, venom electrophoresis.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

R. J. DA SILVA - CEVAP/UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior, S/N, 18.618-000, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil. Fax/Phone:55 14 821 3963 - Email cevap@cevap.org.br