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Ontogenetic changes in the feeding system of the red‐sided garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis. I. Allometric analysis
Author(s) -
YOUNG BRUCE A.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1989.tb02550.x
Subject(s) - thamnophis sirtalis , biology , ontogeny , allometry , ophidia , predation , zoology , anatomy , ecology , venom , genetics
The ontogenetic growth pattern of selected components of the skeleton, muscle mass, and muscle lever arms within the head of the red‐sided garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis , were investigated. The results of this analysis appear to indicate an ontogenetic shift from an early emphasis upon prey manipulation to a later emphasis upon striking. The ecological, morphological and phylogenetic evidence for this shift is described and specific testable hypotheses are proposed.