کد مقاله کد نشریه سال انتشار مقاله انگلیسی نسخه تمام متن
2800211 1568903 2014 6 صفحه PDF دانلود رایگان
عنوان انگلیسی مقاله ISI
Roads are associated with a blunted stress response in a North American pit viper
ترجمه فارسی عنوان
جاده ها با یک پاسخ استرس خفیف در یخچال فریزر آمریکای شمالی ارتباط دارند
موضوعات مرتبط
علوم زیستی و بیوفناوری بیوشیمی، ژنتیک و زیست شناسی مولکولی علوم غدد
چکیده انگلیسی


• Snakes crossing roads were compared to conspecifics in the forest.
• Road snakes had a blunted stress response compared to forest snakes.
• Amount of traffic negatively impacted snake stress physiology.
• Potential causes are acclimation, chronic stress, or environmental selection.
• Provides insight into genetic fragmentation caused by roads on snakes.

Whereas numerous studies have examined roads as anthropogenic stressors in birds and mammals, comparatively few studies have been undertaken on reptiles. We investigated plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels at baseline and following 30 min of restraint stress in free-ranging copperhead snakes (Agkistrodon contortrix) captured within the forest interior or while in contact with public roads. There was no difference in baseline CORT levels between snakes in the forest and on roads. Copperheads responded to restraint stress by increasing plasma levels of CORT; however snakes on roads exhibited a lower CORT stress response compared to forest snakes. Additionally, among snakes captured on roads there was a negative association between road traffic and baseline CORT, stressed CORT, and the magnitude of the CORT response. Our results suggest that roads are associated with a blunted stress response in copperheads. Reduced stress responses may be indicative of acclimation, the inhibited ability to mount a stress response in the face of prolonged chronic stress, or that road environments select for individuals with lower CORT responsiveness. Either scenario could result in increased road mortality if snakes do not perceive roads as a potential threat.

ناشر
Database: Elsevier - ScienceDirect (ساینس دایرکت)
Journal: General and Comparative Endocrinology - Volume 202, 1 June 2014, Pages 87–92
نویسندگان
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