Postprandial thermogenesis in Bothrops moojeni (Serpentes: Viperidae)

Stuginski DR (1), Fernandes W (1), Tattersall GJ (2), Abe AS (3)

(1) Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada; (3) Department of Zoology, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Rio Claro, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Abstract: Snakes that can ingest prey that are proportionally large have high metabolic rates during digestion. This great increase in metabolic rate (specific dynamic action - SDA) may create a significant augment in the animal’s body temperature. The present study investigated postprandial thermogenesis in Bothrops moojeni. Briefly, two groups of snakes were fed meals equivalent to 17 ± 3% and 32 ± 5% of their body weight and were observed for 72 hours, in which thermal images of each snake were taken with an infrared camera in a thermostable environment with a constant air temperature of 30°C. The results showed a significant increase in snake surface temperature, with a thermal peak between 33 and 36 hours after feeding. The meal size had a great impact on the intensity and duration of the thermogenic response. Such increase in temperature appears to be connected with the huge increase in metabolic rates during digestion of relatively large prey by snakes that feed infrequently. The ecologic implication of the thermogenic response is still not well understood; however, it is possible that its presence could affect behaviors associated with the snake digestion, such as postprandial thermophily.

Key words: Bothrops, thermogenesis, feeding behavior, digestion.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks are due to The State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for the financial support.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: January 12, 2011.

Accepted: April 20, 2011.

Abstract published online: April 26, 2011.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil, provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Butantan Institute (protocol number 334/06).

CORRESPONDENCE TO

DANIEL RODRIGUES STUGINSKI, Instituto Butantan, Rua Alvarenga, 1275, ap. 24A, São Paulo, SP, 05509-002, Brazil. Phone: +55 11 2507 5744. Email: dstuginski@yahoo.com.br.