Opheodrys

Abstract: , AND M. V. PLUMMER. 1987. Population ecology, p. 253-301. In: Snakes: ecology and evolutionary biology. R. A. Seigel, J. T. Collins, and S. S. Novak (eds.). Macmillan Publ. Co., New York, New York. , PLUMMER, M. V. 1990. High predation on green snakes, Opheodrys aestivus. J. Herpetol. 24:327-328. Ross, D. A. 1989. Amphibians and reptiles in the diets of North American raptors. Wisconsin Endangered Species Report 59:1-33. SCHOENER, T. W. 1979. Inferring the properties of predation and other injury-producing agents from injury frequencies. Ecology 1110-1115. SHINE, R. 1978. Sexual size dimorphism and male combat in snakes. Oecologia 33:269-277. . 1986. Sexual differences in morphology and niche utilization in an aquatic snake, Acrochordus arafurae. Ibid. 69:260-267. . 1987. Ecological ramifications of prey size: food habits and reproductive biology of Australian copperhead snakes (Austrelaps, Elapidae). J. Herp. 21:21-28.

Abstract: snakes. These include 0. aestivus and 0. vernalis of eastern and central North America, 0. herminae and 0. semicarinatus of the Japanese Ryukyu Archipelago, 0. major from Taiwan and southern China and 0. multicinctus from southern China and the northern regions of Burma, Laos and Vietnam. A seventh species (Symphimus mayae) endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico was included in Opheodrys until Rossman and Schaefer (1974) demonstrated that S. mayae is morphologically more similar to Symphimus leucostomus of Mexico than to either North American species of Opheodrys. In addition, Pope (1935) considered two species (Cyclophiops doriae and Ablabes hamptoni) from southern China and Burma to be congeneric with species currently assigned to Opheodrys. Smith (1943) and Dowling and Duellman (1978) have since retained Pope's systematic arrangement although Schmidt and Necker (1936) suggested that neither 0. doriae nor 0. hamptoni was congeneric with the remaining species assigned to Opheodrys. This paper compares the cranial bones of Symphimus mayae and five species previously assigned to Opheodrys, namely 0. aestivus, 0. herminae, 0. major, 0. semicarinatus and 0. vernalis.

Abstract: Opheodrys aestivus is a slender, arboreal colubrid snake inhabiting the south-cast quarter of the U.S.A. Males reach sexual maturity (begin spermatogenesis) in their second calendar year of life (12 months of age). During the first spermatogenic season, enough sperm are produced to permit mating in the following spring. The spermatogenic cycle in this species is post-nuptial. Spermatogenesis begins in June and reaches a peak in July and August. The sexual segment of the kidney and plasma testosterone levels have a cycle opposite to that of the testis. Peak levels of testosterone and secretory activity of the sex segment occur in the early spring (April) and late summer (August). The occurrence of a late summer increase in testosterone and sex segment of the kidncy is discussed in relation to season of mating.

Abstract: An epizootic of severe Cryptosporidium sp.–associated enteritis occurred in a group of 15 wild-caught juvenile rough green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus) at the Baltimore Zoo quarantine facility. All of the animals died with no premonitory signs. Histopathologic examination of the small and proximal large intestine of eight of the green snakes showed moderate to severe Cryptosporidium sp. infection and enteritis characterized by dense heterophilic and lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates throughout the lamina propria with epithelial necrosis. Cryptosporidium sp. was also found in feces of an adult common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) that was wild caught on zoo grounds and held in quarantine during the epizootic. After euthanasia, histologic examination of the garter snake showed a severe small intestinal Cryptosporidium sp. infection with only mild enteritis consisting of sparse heterophilic and lymphocytic infiltrates. There was no gross or histologic evidence of Cryptosporidium sp. gastritis...