Predatory Luring Behavior of Odonates

Lingual Luring by Mangrove Saltmarsh Snakes (Nerodia clarkii compressicauda)

—Very few cases of predatory luring by squamate reptiles involve body parts other than the tail. Here, I report the use of the tongue by Mangrove Saltmarsh Snakes (Nerodia clarkii compressicauda) to lure prey, a behavior thus far adequately described for only one other snake species. Fishes are the only verified component of the diet of these snakes and are effectively attracted by the luring b...

Fatal attraction: adaptations to prey on native frogs imperil snakes after invasion of toxic toads.

Adaptations that enhance fitness in one situation can become liabilities if circumstances change. In tropical Australia, native snake species are vulnerable to the invasion of toxic cane toads. Death adders (Acanthophis praelongus) are ambush foragers that (i) attract vertebrate prey by caudal luring and (ii) handle anuran prey by killing the frog then waiting until the frog's chemical defences...

Notes on the Feeding Behavior and Caudal Luring by Juvenile Alsophis portoricensis (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Pellets of proof: First glimpse of the dietary composition of adult odonates as revealed by metabarcoding of feces

Recent advances in molecular techniques allow us to resolve the diet of unstudied taxa. Odonates are potentially important top-down regulators of many insects. Yet, to date, our knowledge of odonate prey use is based mainly on limited observations of odonates catching or eating their prey. In this study, we examine the potential use of metabarcoding in establishing the diet of three adult odona...

Strategies to curb young researchers from predatory publishers

This letter addresses the current scenario ofpredatory publishers in the medical fieldand strategies to curb young researchers frompredatory publishing. Today, the increasingtrend and magnitude of predatory publishershave proposed a big challenge to youngresearchers in the medical field (1). Predatorypublishers are publishers which publish paperswith questionable peer review, charge enormouspub...