Foraging Ecology
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Article Title: The foraging ecology of the gray rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides). III. Searching for different prey types in structurally varied habitats
Summary:
The purpose of this study is to examine the variation of prey on the behavior and success of gray rat snakes in structurally varied habitats. The effect of the complexity of simulated habitats on prey success showed a direct correlation. The behavioral attributes of gray snakes in simulated habitats are shown to demonstrate characteristics of ambush foraging.
Abstract
The papers abstract is very informative and gives complete detail on the intent and conclusion of the study.
Introduction
The main point of this study is to show the effects of prey variation and structural complexity on behavior and success of gray rat sake foraging. This study shows how adaptation to habitat changes relates to overall population fitness. Although no hypothesis was given the intent and relevance to scientific theory was clear. This study is one of few that study this relationship outside of an aquatic habitat.
Methods
This study can be repeated based on the methods given, but the use of natural habitats as opposed to simulated ones should be considered. I feel that simulated habitats can cause a source error because they are limiting where as a natural gray snake habitat provides variations in space and sized (not all equivalent). The terminology to describe the methodology was very reader friendly except in one instance were an acronym ANOVA was used but not described.
Results
All of the results given were important and relevant to determining the validity of the hypothesis. The statistical evaluation was clear and provided reinforcement of the written results.
Discussion
The data is directly related to and disproves a portion of the initial hypothesis. Although the data proved that both snakes preferentially choose habitat edges, mammal abundance did not relate to habitat choice. The results correlate with those of past researches. The unexpected