タイリクマムシAgkistrodon blomhoffii brevicaudusの成長と捕食量

抄録

Seven female and four male newborn short-tailed mamushis, Agkistrodon blomhoffii brevicaudus, were reared for three years and five months in captivity. During the first year, there was no significant difference in body weight and total length between males and females. Thereafter, total length and body weight of females became significantly larger than those of males. There were highly significant sexual differences in final total length, increment of body weight, total food consumption, number of food items taken and frequency of feeding. Males showed seasonal changes in growth of total length and body weight, but females showed such changes only in growth of total length. Length of rapid increase periods was longer in females than in males. The conversion efficiency increased gradually during the first seven to nine months (males) or 13 to 15 months (females), and thereafter, it showed a tendency to decrease, especially in males. Mean conversion efficiency of females (18.9%) significantly differed from that of of males (11.1%).