2009年6月28日 星期日

約旦王國產取食節肢動物之隱微蛇

文獻來源: Shwayat SN, Disi AM, Amr Z. 2009. Snakes of the genus Eirenis in Jordan (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae). Vertebrate Zoology 59(1): 91-101. [全文下載]

Abstract
Four species of the genus Eirenis that occur in Jordan were studied. Distribution and ecology of these species was investigated. Eirenis coronella was collected from the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanean biotopes. Jordan represents the most southern range of distribution for E. decemlineata, E. lineomaculata and E. rothi. Sexual dimorphism is evident in E. rothi where as females attain larger body size, but shorter tail and accordingly higher ventral and lower caudal scales. The hemipenes of the four examined species were similar to each other; with minor differences. All have cylindrical simple hemipenis; with a single sulcus; with macro-ornamentation of large spines; also with micro-ornamentation of small spines and calyculate. Food remains from examined snakes showed that all four species feeds on arthropods (spider, centipede, scorpions, Acrididae, caterpillars and unidentifi ed beetles).