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Evolution of the nuchal glands in snakes: Synthesis from morphology, ethology and physiology

Research Project

Project/Area Number 23570115
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Research Field Biodiversity/Systematics
Research InstitutionKyoto University

Principal Investigator

MORI Akira  京都大学, 理学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (80271005)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) TORIBA Michihisa  日本蛇族学術研究所 (40109856)
Research Collaborator TAKEUCHI Hirohiko  京都大学, 大学院理学研究科, ポスドク
KOJIMA Yosuke  京都大学, 大学院理学研究科, ポスドク
SAVITZKY Alan H.  アメリカ・ユタ州立大学, 教授
TANG Yezhong  中国・成都生物研究所, 教授
DING Li  成都生物研究所(中国), 准教授
TSAI Tein-shun  台湾国立ピントン科技大学, 助手
NGUYEN Tao Thien  ベトナム国立自然博物館, 研究員
DAS Indraneil  マレーシア大学ボルネオ校, 教授
SILVA Anslem De  スリランカ・ラジャラタ大学, 客員講師
MAHAULPATHA Dharshani  スリランカ・スリジャヤワルダナプラ大学, 上級講師
Project Period (FY) 2011 – 2013
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2013)
Budget Amount *help
¥5,460,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,260,000)
Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2012: ¥2,340,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥540,000)
Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
Keywords進化 / 行動学 / 爬虫類学 / 防御行動 / 国際研究者交流 / 防御器官 / ヘビ類
Research Abstract

Nucho-dorsal glands are unique organs that have been reported in only 15 species of snakes. Rhabdophis tigrinus, one of the species that have the glands, eats toads, which have toxic skin secretions, and sequesteres the toxins to store in its glands. This species also shows peculiar defensive displays that enhance the effectiveness of the toxins for predator avoidance.
I clarified phylogenetic relationships among species that have the nucho-dorsal glands and related species, and inferred the evolutionary process of the defensive system depending on the glands, which involves a suite of correlated features of morphology, physiology, behavior, and ecology. In addition, the obtained phylogenetic tree suggested that the evolutionary loss of the glands have independently occurred twice, for which I proposed a hypothesis of the evolutionary factors that have caused the loss of the glands.

Report

(4 results)
  • 2013 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2012 Research-status Report
  • 2011 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (23 results)

All 2014 2013 2012 2011 Other

All Journal Article (7 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 7 results) Presentation (14 results) Book (2 results)

  • [Journal Article] Home Range and Movements of <i>Rhabdophis tigrinus</i> in a Mountain Habitat of Kyoto, Japan2014

    • Author(s)
      Kojima, Yosuke and Akira Mori
    • Journal Title

      Current Herpetology

      Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Pages: 8-20

    • DOI

      10.5358/hsj.33.8

    • NAID

      130003393157

    • ISSN
      1345-5834, 1881-1019
    • Related Report
      2013 Annual Research Report 2013 Final Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Chemical defense of an Asian snake reflects local availability of toxic prey and hatchling diet2013

    • Author(s)
      Hutchinson, D. A., A. H. Savitzky, G. M. Burghardt, C. Nguyen, J. Meinwald, F. C. Schroeder, and A. Mori.
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Zoology

      Volume: 289(4) Issue: 4 Pages: 270-278

    • DOI

      10.1111/jzo.12004

    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report 2012 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Chemical investigations of defensive steroid sequestration by the Asian snake Rhabdophis tigrinus.2012

    • Author(s)
      Hutchinson, D. A., A. H. Savitzky, A. Mori, G. M. Burghardt, J. Meinwald, and F. C. Schroeder
    • Journal Title

      Chemoecology

      Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Pages: 199-206

    • DOI

      10.1007/s00049-011-0078-2

    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report 2012 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Nuchal glands : A novel defensive system in snakes2012

    • Author(s)
      Mori, A., M. Burghardt, A. H. Savitzky, K. A. Roberts, D. A. Hutchinson, and R. C. Goris.
    • Journal Title

      Chemoecology

      Volume: 22

    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Sequestered defensive toxins in tetrapod vertebrates: principles, patterns, and prospects for future studies2012

    • Author(s)
      Savitzky, A. H., A. Mori, D. A. Hutchinson, R. A. Saporito, G. M. Burghardt, H. B. Lillywhite, and J. Meinwald
    • Journal Title

      Chemoecology

      Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Pages: 141-158

    • DOI

      10.1007/s00049-012-0112-z

    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report 2012 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Antipredator Displays and Prey Chemical Preference of an Asian Natricine Snake, <i>Macropisthodon rudis</i> (Squamata: Colubridae)2012

    • Author(s)
      Takeuchi, H. AND A. Mori
    • Journal Title

      Current Herpetology

      Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Pages: 47-53

    • DOI

      10.5358/hsj.31.47

    • NAID

      130002072891

    • ISSN
      1345-5834, 1881-1019
    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report 2012 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Nuchal glands: A novel defensive system in snakes2012

    • Author(s)
      Mori, A., G. M. Burghardt, A. H. Savitzky, K. A. Roberts, D. A. Hutchinson, and R. C. Goris
    • Journal Title

      Chemoecology

      Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Pages: 187-198

    • DOI

      10.1007/s00049-011-0086-2

    • Related Report
      2012 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Presentation] Evolution of the nuchal glands and their related behaviors based on a molecular phylogeny of the Asian natricine snakes (Serpentes : Colubridae)2013

    • Author(s)
      Takeuchi, H. and A. Mori.
    • Organizer
      International Symposium for Biodiversity and Evolution Project of Excellent Graduate Schools
    • Place of Presentation
      京都大学理学研究科. 京都市
    • Year and Date
      2013-12-13
    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report
  • [Presentation] ヤマカガシの防御行動はヒキガエル食の影響を受けるか?2013

    • Author(s)
      森哲、ゴードン・バーグハート
    • Organizer
      日本爬虫両棲類学会第52回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      東海大学札幌キャンパス. 札幌市
    • Year and Date
      2013-11-02
    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report
  • [Presentation] Evolution of nuchal glands based on molecular phylogenetic approach2013

    • Author(s)
      Takeuchi H. and A. Mori.
    • Organizer
      The 6th Snake Ecology Group Meeting
    • Place of Presentation
      やんばる学びの森. 沖縄県国頭村
    • Year and Date
      2013-06-22
    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report
  • [Presentation] Active foraging for toads by gravid Japanese grass snakes (Rhabdophis tigrinus)2013

    • Author(s)
      Kojima, Yosuke and Akira Mori
    • Organizer
      6th Snake Ecology Group Meeting
    • Place of Presentation
      Okinawa (Kunigami Environmental Education Center)
    • Related Report
      2013 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Evolutionary relationships between snakes and amphibians : A snake utilizing toads not only for food but also for defense2012

    • Author(s)
      Mori, A
    • Organizer
      The 5th Asian Herpetological Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Eighteen Steps Island Hotel. 成都, 中国
    • Year and Date
      2012-06-02
    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report
  • [Presentation] Evolutionary relationships between snakes and amphibians: A snake utilizing toads not only for food but also for defense2012

    • Author(s)
      Mori, Akira
    • Organizer
      Fifth Asian Herpetological Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Eighteen steps island hotel, Chengdu (China)
    • Related Report
      2012 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Do female Japanese water snakes forage for toads to protect their offspring with toxins?2011

    • Author(s)
      Kojima, Y. and A. Mori.
    • Organizer
      Joint Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society and the International Ethological Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      インディアナ大学. ブルーミントン. アメリカ
    • Year and Date
      2011-07-28
    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report
  • [Presentation] Seasonal change and sexual difference in habitat use of a Japanese snake Rhabdophis tigrinus : Does the necessity for toxins lead females to the forest?2011

    • Author(s)
      Kojima,Y. and A. Mori.
    • Organizer
      Joint Meeting of the Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
    • Place of Presentation
      ヒルトンミネアポリスホテル. ミネアポリス. アメリカ
    • Year and Date
      2011-07-09
    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report
  • [Presentation] ヘビが持つ第2の毒器官の機能:ヤマカガシによるヒキガエル毒の再利用2011

    • Author(s)
      森哲
    • Organizer
      日本動物学会近畿支部発表会
    • Place of Presentation
      京都大学理学研究科. 京都市
    • Year and Date
      2011-04-25
    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report
  • [Presentation] ヘビが持つ第2の毒器官の機能:ヤマカガシによるヒキガエル毒の再利用2011

    • Author(s)
      森 哲
    • Organizer
      日本動物学会近畿支部研究発表会(招待講演)
    • Place of Presentation
      京都大学
    • Related Report
      2011 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] ヤマカガシの防御行動はヒキガエル食の影響を受けるか?

    • Author(s)
      森 哲、Gordon M. Burghardt
    • Organizer
      日本爬虫両棲類学会第52回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      札幌市(東海大学札幌校舎)
    • Related Report
      2013 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Evolution of nuchal glands based on molecular phylogenetic approach

    • Author(s)
      Takeuchi, Hirohiko and Akira Mori
    • Organizer
      6th Snake Ecology Group Meeting
    • Place of Presentation
      Okinawa (Kunigami Environmental Education Center)
    • Related Report
      2013 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Evolution of the nuchal glands and their related behaviors based on a molecular phylogeny of the Asian natricine snakes (Serpentes: Colubridae)

    • Author(s)
      Takeuchi, Hirohiko and Akira Mori
    • Organizer
      International Symposium for "Biodiversity and Evolution" project of Excellent Graduate Schools
    • Place of Presentation
      京都市(京都大学理学研究科)
    • Related Report
      2013 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Sequestration of Defensive Toxins by the Asian Snake Rhabdophis tigrinus: Effects of Local Prey Availability and Maternal Diet

    • Author(s)
      Hutchinson, D.A., Mori, A., Savitzky, A.H., Burghardt, G.M., Nguyen, C., Meinwald, J., and Schroeder, F.C.
    • Organizer
      Annual Meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
    • Place of Presentation
      North Charleston Convention Center
    • Related Report
      2011 Research-status Report
  • [Book] 生き物たちのつづれ織り:多様性と普遍性が彩る生物模様(上・下)2012

    • Author(s)
      阿形清和・森哲.(監修・分担執筆)
    • Publisher
      京都大学学術出版会(京都)
    • Related Report
      2013 Final Research Report
  • [Book] 生き物たちのつづれ織り2011

    • Author(s)
      森 哲
    • Publisher
      京都大学グローバルCOEプログラム「生物の多様性と進化研究のための拠点形成」
    • Related Report
      2011 Research-status Report

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Published: 2011-08-05   Modified: 2019-07-29  

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