Date of Award:
5-1-2003
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Biology
Committee Chair(s)
Edmund D. Brodie Jr.
Committee
Edmund D. Brodie Jr.
Committee
Daryll B. DeWald
Committee
Stephan Bialkowski
Abstract
The Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) preys upon the Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa), which contains tetrodotoxin (TTX). I investigated how snakes consume potentially deadly newts and the consequences thereof. Individual snakes assess their resistance relative to newt toxicity and reject prey too toxic to consume. Behavioral moderation of toxin exposure provides the association between individual resistance and fitness necessary for the coevolution of lethal toxins and resistance. After newt consumption, snakes experience tremendous toxin loads. Because TTX is extremely toxic, present in large quantities in newts, and highly resistant snakes ingest multiple newts, snakes can harbor enough TTX in their liver to incapacitate or kill avian predators. Whether snake toxicity constitutes a chemical defense is unknown. However, the persistence of foreign toxins in an organism may be the necessary first step for evolution of the sequestration of toxin for consequent protection of that organism.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Becky L., "The Behavioral and Chemical Ecology of a Predator That Consumes Toxic Prey" (2003). Biology. 693.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd_biology/693
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