Adaptationen am Verdauungstrakt extrem nahrungsspezialisierter Schlangenarten der Familie Colubridae

Abstract

The alimentary tracts of certain species of snakes [Natrix maura, Dasypeltis scabra, Imantodes cenchoa, Sibon nebulata, Elaphe longissima and E. climacophora] with extremely specialized feeding habits were morphologically and histologically analyzed and compared. In the species which were examined, conspicuous features were seen, especially in the anterior part of the alimentary canal, which can be considered as adaptations to a definite specialized diet. The storage capacity of the caudal part of the esophagus in relation to the availability of food is important. The exclusively egg-eating Dasypeltis has the greatest storage capacity. The folding degree and flexibility of the esophagus together with the muscular structure of the stomach are quite distinctly related to the size of the prey. The thickness of the mucus-producing goblet cells increases in direct relation to the dryness and roughness of the surface of the prey.