Compsophis laphystius (Cadle, 1996)

Hutter, Carl Richard, Andriampenomanana, Zo F., Razafindraibe, Jary H., Rakotoarison, Dr. Andolalao & Scherz, Mark D., 2018, New dietary data from Compsophis and Alluaudina species (Squamata: Lamprophiidae: Pseudoxyrhophiinae), and implications for their dietary complexity and evolution, Journal of Natural History 52 (39 - 40), pp. 2497-2510 : 2499

Compsophis laphystius eating Boophis entingae

An adult specimen of Compsophis laphystius (not sampled) was encountered at night on 1 December 2016 (14.4344°S, 49.7611°E; 950 m asl) at the edge of ‘Camp Marojejia’ (Camp 2 of the main three camps of Marojejy). It was situated on a small tree ~ 1 m above the ground, ~ 3 m from a large stream. This individual was found during deglutition of an individual of the species Boophis entingae , with the legs remaining to be consumed ( Figure 2 ). This Boophis species was abundant in this area along a fast-flowing stream, identifiable by its characteristic calls ( Glaw et al. 2010). We began observing deglutition at 01h38, and it lasted until 02h01 ( Figure 2 ). Near the end of the process, we observed distinct red colouration in the swollen toes of one of the frog’ s feet (inset of Figure 2 (g)). After deglutition, we induced the snake to regurgitate the frog and found that the frog was more than half the length of the snake. Tissue samples of the specimens could not be taken due to logistic constraints.

Figures

Figure 2. Time series of Compsophis laphystius ingesting an adult Boophis entingae. The time series begins (a) with the head and torso of the frog already consumed, and ends (h) 22 minutes later with the disappearance of the toes (note the degree of swelling visible in the inset of g), and the lateral undulation of the body involved in swallowing.