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Summary: 181
Short Communications
http://www.salamandra-journal.com
© 2006DeutscheGesellschaftfürHerpetologieundTerrarienkundee.V.(DGHT)
Rheinbach,20 August 2006 ISSN 0036-3375181-1832/342SALAMANDRA
Short Communications
A possible attempt of predation of Liophidium vaillanti
upon Dromicodryas bernieri observed in central-southern
Madagascar (Serpentes: Colubridae)
VINCENZO MERCURIO, FABIO MATTIOLI, TOKIHERY J. RAZAFINDRABE & FRANCO ANDREONE
Abstract. We report the observation of an attack and putative predation of the colubrid snake Liophidium
vaillanti upon a freshly preserved individual of Dromicodryas bernieri at the Isalo Massif, central-south-
ern Madagascar. This observation suggests that L. vaillanti is at least occasionally ophiophagous,
and that its prey choice is mainly based upon visual cues.
Key words. Reptilia, Serpentes, Colubridae, Liophidium vaillanti, Dromicodryas bernieri, Madagascar,
ophiophagy.
Approximately 75 species of colubrid snakes
belonging to 18 genera are currently known
from Madagascar (CADLE 2004). The life his-
tory of most of these snakes, including their
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