Difference between revisions of "Boa" - New World Encyclopedia
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| synonyms = * ''Boidae'' - Gray, 1825<ref name="McD99">McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).</ref> | | synonyms = * ''Boidae'' - Gray, 1825<ref name="McD99">McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).</ref> | ||
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| − | -'''Boa''' is the common name for any of the various non-venomous, live-bearing constricting [[snake]]s comprising the family '''Boidae''', characterized by stout bodies, two functional [[lung]]s | + | -'''Boa''' is the common name for any of the various non-venomous, live-bearing constricting [[snake]]s comprising the family '''Boidae''', characterized by stout bodies, two functional [[lung]]s, and vestiges of hind limbs, and, unlike the similar, but egg-laying, pythons (family Pythonidae), they lack |
Like the related and similarly appearing pythons, they have two lungs and are constrictors that suffocate their prey by wrapping around it; however, in addition to various physical differences, pythons are found in the Old World and anacondas in the New World (SDZ 2007). | Like the related and similarly appearing pythons, they have two lungs and are constrictors that suffocate their prey by wrapping around it; however, in addition to various physical differences, pythons are found in the Old World and anacondas in the New World (SDZ 2007). | ||
Revision as of 16:58, 30 August 2008
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.jpg) Boa constrictor, Boa constrictor
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-Boa is the common name for any of the various non-venomous, live-bearing constricting snakes comprising the family Boidae, characterized by stout bodies, two functional lungs, and vestiges of hind limbs, and, unlike the similar, but egg-laying, pythons (family Pythonidae), they lack
Like the related and similarly appearing pythons, they have two lungs and are constrictors that suffocate their prey by wrapping around it; however, in addition to various physical differences, pythons are found in the Old World and anacondas in the New World (SDZ 2007).
Members include the anaconda, python (no!), boa constrictor, and other snakes of 888
unlike pthyons, none have postfrontal bones or premaxillary teeth, and that they give birth to live young.
The term boa also is used more specifically for any of the members of the subfamily Boinae, the "true boas," and as the genus name, Boa, within the Boinae subfamily. The Boinae subfamily is one of two subfamilies within Boidae.
mostely live-bearing, but there are a group of egg-laying pythons found in Old nd New World, mostly tropical regions
terrestrial, semi-aquatic, or arboreal.
Other snakes outside of the Boidae family also have the common name of boa. These include any member of the Bolyeriidae, Round Island boas, a small family of non-venomous snakes from Mauritius and nearby islands, known as "Round Island boas," and any member of the Tropidophiidae, a family of non-venomous snakes found in Central America, South America and the Caribbean and known as "dwarf boas."
The name is derived from the Latin term bos, meaning "cow", and is based on an old myth that boas pursue cows and suckle them until they are drained to death.
Boidae
- Common names: boas, boids.[2]
The Boidae are a family of non-venomous snakes found in the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia and some Pacific Islands. Relatively primitive snakes, adults are medium to large in size, with females usually larger than the males. Two subfamilies comprising eight genera and 43 species are currently recognized.[2]
Description
Like the pythons, boids have elongated supratemporal bones. The quadrate bones are also elongated, but not as much, while both are capable of moving freely so that when they swing sideways to their maximum extent, the distance between the hinges of the lower jaw is greatly increased.[3]
Both families share a number of primitive characteristics. Nearly all have a relatively rigid lower jaw with a coronoid element, as well as a vestigial pelvic girdle with hind limbs that are partially visible as a pair of spurs, one on either side of the vent. In males, these anal spurs are larger and more conspicuous than in females. A long row of palatal teeth is present and most species have a functional left lung that can be up to 75% as large as the right lung.[3][4]
Boids are, however, distinguished from the pythons in that none have postfrontal bones or premaxillary teeth, and that they give birth to live young. When labial pits are present, these are located between the scales as opposed to on them. Also, their geographical distributions are almost entirely mutually exclusive. In the few areas that they do coexist, the tendency is for them to occupy different habitats.[3]
It used to be said that boas are found in the New World and pythons in the Old World, but with boid species found on Madagascar, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, this is not quite true. Instead, it seems that they have survived in evolutionarily isolated areas. After all, South America had, until a few million years ago, a distinct fauna that included marsupial and mammals. With the land bridge to North America, boids have migrated north as placental mammals and colubrids have migrated south.
Common names
The Old Tupi name for such snakes was mbói, which figures in the etymology of names like jibóia and boitatá (the Brazilian name for the mythical Giant anaconda).
Geographic range
Found in Northern, Central and South America, the Caribbean, southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, Northern, Central and East Africa, Madagascar and Reunion Island, the Arabian Peninsula, Central and southwestern Asia, India and Sri Lanka, the Moluccas and New Guinea through to Melanesia and Samoa.[1]
Feeding
Prey is killed by a process known as constriction; after an animal has been grasped to restrain it, a number of coils are hastily wrapped around it. Then, by applying and maintaining sufficient pressure to prevent it from inhaling, the prey eventually succumbs due to asphyxiation. It has recently been suggested that the pressures produced during constriction cause cardiac arrest by interfering with blood flow, but this hypothesis has not yet been confirmed.
Larger specimens usually eat animals about the size of a house cat, but larger food items are not unknown: the diet of the common anaconda, Eunectes murinus, is known to include subadult tapirs. Prey is swallowed whole, and may take anywhere from several days or even weeks to fully digest. Despite their intimidating size and muscular power, they are generally not dangerous to humans.
Contrary to popular belief, even the larger species do not crush their prey to death; in fact, prey is not even noticeably deformed before it is swallowed. The speed with which the coils are applied is impressive and the force they exert may be significant, but death is caused by suffocation, with the victim not being able to move its ribs in order to breathe while it is being constricted.[5][6][7]
Reproduction
Most species are ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young. This is in contrast to the pythons, which all lay eggs (oviparous).
Subfamilies
| Subfamily[2] | Taxon author[2] | Genera[2] | Species[2] | Common name | Geographic range[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boinae | Gray, 1825 | 5 | 28 | True boas | Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar, Reunion Island, Mauritius, the Maluku Islands and New Guinea. |
| Erycinae | Bonaparte, 1831 | 3 | 15 | Old World sand boas | South and southeastern Europe, Asia Minor, north, central, west and east Africa, Arabia, central and southwestern Asia, India, Sri Lanka. Also in southwestern Canada, the western United States and northwestern Mexico. |
Type genus = Boa - Gray, 1825[1]
Taxonomy
Pythons are sometimes classified as a subfamily of Boidae, the Pythoninae, but are in this case listed under their own family, the Pythonidae. In the same way, the Old World sand boas, the Erycinae, are also frequently listed under their own family, the Erycidae.
Boinae
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Boa constrictor, Boa constrictor
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- Common names: boas.
The Boinae are a subfamily of non-venomous boas found in Central and South America, Africa and Southeast Asia. Five genera comprising 28 species are currently recognized.[2]
Geographic range
Found in Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar, Reunion Island, Mauritius, the Maluku Islands and New Guinea.[1]
Genera
| Genus[2] | Taxon author[2] | Species[2] | Subsp.*[2] | Common name[2] | Geographic range[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BoaT | Linnaeus, 1758 | 4 | 9 | Boas | Mexico, Central America, South America, Madagascar and on Reunion Island. |
| Candoia | Gray, 1842 | 4 | 2 | Bevel-nosed boas | from Samoa and Tokelau west through Melanesia to New Guinea and the Maluku Islands. |
| Corallus | Daudin, 1803 | 7 | 2 | Neotropical tree boas | Central America, South America and the West Indies. In Central America they occur in Honduras, eastern Guatemala through Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Its range in South America includes Pacific Colombia and Ecuador, as well as the Amazon Basin from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and northern Bolivia through Brazil to Venezuela, Isla Margarita, Trinidad, Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. In the West Indies it is found on St. Vincent, the Grenadines (Bequia Island, Ile Quatre, Baliceaux, Mustique, Canouan, Maryeau, Union Island, Petit Martinique and Carriacou), Grenada and the Windward Islands (Lesser Antilles). |
| Epicrates | Wagler, 1830 | 10 | 21 | Rainbow boas | Lower Central America through South America as far south as Argentina, as well as in the West Indies. |
| Eunectes | Wagler, 1830 | 3 | 1 | Anacondas | Tropical South America from Colombia and Venezuela south to Argentina. |
*) Not including the nominate subspecies.
T) Type genus.[1]
Taxonomy
Some sources also include the genera Acrantophis and Sanzinia, which are synonymized here with the genus Boa.
Boa (genus)
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Boa constrictor, B. constrictor
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Boa is a genus of non-venomous boas found in Mexico, Central and South America, Madagascar and on Reunion Island. Four species are currently recognized.[2]
Description
The largest member of this group, B. c. constrictor, has been reported to grow to a maximum size of 18 feet (5.5 m) in length, although some believe that particular specimen was misidentified. It has an interesting color pattern of brown and black with a red tail. Feeding on birds and small mammals, it does well in captivity, tames easily and is a common sight in zoos and homes.
Geographic range
Found in Mexico, Central America, South America, Madagascar and on Reunion Island.[1]
Species
| Species[2] | Taxon author[2] | Subsp.*[2] | Common name | Geographic range[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. constrictorT | Linnaeus, 1758 | 9 | Boa constrictor[2] | Northern Mexico through Central America (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) to South America north of 35°S (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay and Argentina. Also in the Lesser Antilles (Dominica and St. Lucia), on San Andrés, Providencia and many other islands along the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America. |
| B. dumerili | (Jan In Jan & Sordelli, 1860) | 0 | Duméril's boa | Madagascar and Reunion Island. |
| B. madagascariensis | (Duméril & Bibron, 1844) | 0 | Madagascar ground boa | Madagascar. |
| B. manditra | Kluge, 1991 | 0 | Madagascar tree boa | Madagascar. |
*) Not including the nominate subspecies.
T) Type species.[1]
Taxonomy
Although four are currently placed in this genus, B. constrictor is not considered to be closely related to the other three. Consequently, the latter are often moved to other genera, particularly Acrantophis and Sanzinia. Nevertheless, all are commonly known as "boa constrictors". To add further to the naming confusion, many species of snake in Boidae are known as "boas" and all are constrictors. Also, more than a few subspecies of B. constrictor are recognized, several of which have distinct common names.[8]
See also
- List of boine species and subspecies
- Boinae by common name
- Boinae by taxonomic synonyms
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 Boidae (TSN 174321). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 14 July 2008. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "ITIS" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "ITIS" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Parker HW, Grandison AGC. 1977. Snakes — a natural history. Second Edition. British Museum (Natural History) and Cornell University Press. 108 pp. 16 plates. LCCCN 76-54625. ISBN 0-8014-1095-9 (cloth), ISBN 0-8014-9164-9 (paper).
- ↑ Boidae at VMNH. Accessed 15 July 2008.
- ↑ Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ↑ Stidworthy J. 1974. Snakes of the World. Grosset & Dunlap Inc. 160 pp. ISBN 0-448-11856-4.
- ↑ Carr A. 1963. The Reptiles. Life Nature Library. Time-Life Books, New York. 192 pp. LCCCN 63-12781.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Noonan BP, Chippindale PT. 2006. Dispersal and vicariance: The complex evolutionary history of boid snakes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 40, 347-358. Digital object identifier (DOI): 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.03.010
- San Diego Zoo (SDZ). 2007. Reptiles: Boa. San Diego Zoo's Animal Bytes. Retrieved August 22,2007.
Further reading
- Kluge AG. 1991. Boine Snake Phylogeny and Research Cycles. Misc. Pub. Museum of Zoology, Univ. of Michigan No. 178. 58 pp. PDF at University of Michigan Library. Accessed 11 July 2008.
- Vences M, Glaw F, Kosuch J, Böhme W, Veith M. 2001. Phylogeny of South American and Malagasy Boine Snakes: Molecular Evidence for the Validity of Sanzinia and Acrantophis and Biogeographic Implications. Copeia No 4. p. 1151-1154. PDF at Miguel Vences. Accessed 29 August 2008.
- Vences M, Glaw F. 2003. Phylogeography, systematics and conservation status of boid snakes from Madagascar (Sanzinia and Acrantophis). Salamandra, Reinbach, 39(3/4): p. 181-206. PDF at Miguel Vences. Accessed 29 August 2008.
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