A possible advantage of displaying the tail: a comparison between the tail and body integument structure in Amphisbaena alba and Leposternon microcephalum (Squamata, Amphisbaenia)

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dc.contributor.authorJared, C.
dc.contributor.authorAntoniazzi, M. M.
dc.contributor.authorFreymuller, E.
dc.contributor.authorJunquerira, LCU
dc.contributor.institutionInst Butantan
dc.contributor.institutionUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)
dc.contributor.institutionUniversidade de São Paulo (USP)
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-24T12:30:34Z
dc.date.available2016-01-24T12:30:34Z
dc.date.issued1998-04-01
dc.description.abstractAmphisbaena alba when in a defensive position adopts a horseshoe posture, raises its head and tail and opens its mouth. the tail is rigid; the dorsal surface often has non-pigmented areas which resemble scars. Leposternon microcephalum lives sympatrically with A. alba; it has a soft tail which does not appear to be involved in defensive display. Both species have been observed in captivity. the height to which A. alba raises head and tail during defensive display was measured. Morphometrics and morphology of the integument structure in both species were studied in the body and in the tail from the collagen bundles organization viewpoint. the results reveal a mechanical resistance of the tail in A. alba, but not in L. microcephalum. It is possible that this structure, formed of a dense piece of collagen, serves as a 'biting block'; lesions caused by potential predators could cause no great harm. the skin of the remainder of the body in A. alba (but not in L. microcephalum) is also very resistant; the animal is practically covered by a flexible armour. (C) Elsevier, Paris.en
dc.description.affiliationInst Butantan, Cellular Biol Lab, BR-05503900 São Paulo, Brazil
dc.description.affiliationUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Electron Microscopy, São Paulo, Brazil
dc.description.affiliationUniv São Paulo, Fac Med, Lab Cellular Biol, São Paulo, Brazil
dc.description.affiliationUnifespUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Electron Microscopy, São Paulo, Brazil
dc.description.sourceWeb of Science
dc.format.extent89-97
dc.identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0003-4339(98)80003-8
dc.identifier.citationAnnales Des Sciences Naturelles-zoologie Et Biologie Animale. Paris: Elsevier France-editions Scientifiques Medicales Elsevier, v. 19, n. 2, p. 89-97, 1998.
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/S0003-4339(98)80003-8
dc.identifier.issn0003-4339
dc.identifier.urihttp://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/25883
dc.identifier.wosWOS:000076139800003
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherElsevier B.V.
dc.relation.ispartofAnnales Des Sciences Naturelles-zoologie Et Biologie Animale
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.rights.licensehttp://www.elsevier.com/about/open-access/open-access-policies/article-posting-policy
dc.subjectAmphisbaeniaen
dc.subjectintegumenten
dc.subjectbehaviouren
dc.subjectdefenseen
dc.titleA possible advantage of displaying the tail: a comparison between the tail and body integument structure in Amphisbaena alba and Leposternon microcephalum (Squamata, Amphisbaenia)en
dc.typeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/article
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