Teagan Walsh
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Alison Davis Rabosky, Assistant Professor and Curator
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 3 (1pm-1:50pm)
Breakout Room: Room 10
Presenter: 7
Abstract
Variance in the Evolution of Mimicry Behavior in Atractus Snakes: Animals often adapt their behavior and physical characteristics to mimic another species as a method to deter predators. Previous studies have identified snake species that mimic the coloration and behavior of venomous coral snakes as a defensive mechanism. This study aims to examine the variance of mimicry in a single genus. The species Atractus elaps and Atractus flammigerus will exhibit different defensive behaviors due to a difference in the evolution of mimicry between the species. The snakes were caught in Peru, placed into an arena, and introduced to various physical and auditory stimuli, all while being video-recorded. Videos were examined by frame and any observed defensive behavior was recorded. The expected results of this study are that Atractus elaps will react with tail presentations that show the red striped underside of the tail, mimicking defensive tail curling in Coral snakes. Atractus flammigerus will have different reactions to the stimuli that do not involve a tail presentation. A difference in behavior between these two species would show that only Atractus elaps uses defense mechanisms that involve coral snake mimicry. The results of this study will further examine snake mimicry behavior and provide more data about coevolution of color and mimicry in the Atractus genus.
Authors: Teagan Walsh, Hayley Crowell, John David Curlis
Research Method: Computer Programming
