Citizen science and color pattern analysis indicate unreported Batesian mimicry between Neotropical snakes

Abstract

Batesian mimics decrease their chance of predation by their resemblance to different, dangerous or unpalatable species but this relationship is often inferred without quantitative approaches. Snakes are notorious Batesian mimics, especially the Neotropical genus Xenodon, which comprises species that are putative mimics of venomous snakes such as coral snakes (genus Micrurus) and lanceheads (or “fer-de-lance,” genus Bothrops). Herein, we propose that Xenodon severus is a batesian mimic of the sympatric and highly venomous Amazonian bushmaster (Lachesis muta), the longest viper in the world, and not of lanceheads (Bothrops spp.). We compiled all available photographs of X. severus from citizen science platforms and published literature to test this mimicry through a quantitative dorsal color pattern analysis between this species and both L. muta and a lancehead Bothrops brazili. We classified georeferenced photographs as potential “mimic” or “non-mimic” and tested whether “mimics” were found on average closer to L. muta's range centroid than “non-mimics.” The color pattern analysis showed that X. severus is more similar to L. muta than to B. brazili. Furthermore, “mimics” were significantly closer to the centroid of L. muta. Our results suggest that X. severus is likely a mimic of L. muta and that this relationship may vary across their distribution. Our findings highlight the significant role of citizen science platforms in assessing ecological relationships and the importance of using quantitative methods such as dorsal color pattern analysis to test mimicry.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.