Resumen

CHIARAVIGLIO, Margarita  y  BRIGUERA, Verónica. PARTICIPATION OF CHEMICAL CUES IN CONSPECIFIC DETECTION AND SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION IN BOA CONSTRICTOR OCCIDENTALIS (SERPENTES, BOIDAE). Gayana (Concepc.) [online]. 2001, vol.65, n.1, pp. 5-10. ISSN 0717-6538.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-65382001000100002.

The use of chemical signals to recognize and to discriminate conspecifics, has been demonstrated in some species of snakes. The behavior in chemiosensorial communication context of boid snakes is known in genus Epicrates. The ability of Boa constrictor occidentalis to detect chemical signals from conspecifics was tested in this paper in order to specify if skin and scent cloacal glands participate in sexual discrimination in this specie. Responses to skin and cloacal conspecifics odor stimuli was assessed by measuring the frequency of tongue flicks. Results show that both males and females detect conspecifics odor and that these secretions participate in sexual discrimination, suggesting an important rol of quimiorreception in reproductive context in this specie

Palabras clave : Quimiorreception; tongue flick; snakes; pheromone; skin; cloacal glands.