Reproductive biology and food habits of Pseudoboa nigra (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Brazilian cerrado

Abstract

Herein we provide data on body size, sexual size dimorphism,reproductive cycle, and food habits of the pseudoboini snake Pseudoboa nigra, which is distributed mainly in central South America throughout the Cerrado domain. Based on dissections of 147 preserved specimens, it is shown that females attain, and mature at,larger body sizes than males. There is no significant sexual dimorphism in head length, but males have longer tails relative to their body sizes. Vitellogenesis, egg-laying, and sperm production occur throughout the year, but males do not exhibit long-term sperm storage. The main prey of P. nigra is lizards; there is no evidence of ontogenetic change or sex differences in the diet of this species.

Keywords

• Serpentes
• Colubridae
• Pseudoboini
• South America
• sexual dimorphism
• snake
• reproductive cycles
• diet