Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
(A)
(B)
Plate 4.78
(A and B) Hatchling specimens of the Southern hognose snake (
Heterodon
simus
).
This secretive and lesser-known
Heterodon
species feeds exclusively on anuran
amphibians. There are no documented bites by this species.
Photos copyright to Mark O' Shea.
4.2.4.1 Overview of the Duvernoy's Gland and Associated Dentition of
Heterodon
spp.
The genus
Heterodon
is named for their heterologous dentition (
heterodont). Hay
(1892) reported that the enlarged posterior maxillary teeth of
Heterodon
spp. lacked
canals and grooves. Similarly, Ditmars (1896) noted that “
…
the posterior maxil-
lary tooth is considerably larger than those in front, but not grooved
…
.” However,
Ditmars (1912) later reported that when examined with light microscopy, the poste-
rior maxillary teeth had faint anterior grooves. Kapus (1964) agreed with the earlier
assertion of Ditmars (1896), as he did not find any grooves during examination of 15
skulls of
H. nasicus
,
Heterodon platirhinos
(eastern hognose), or
Heterodon simus
(southern hognose). Similarly, Kroll (1976) reported that
H. nasicus
and
H. plati-
rhinos
possessed ungrooved enlarged posterior maxillary teeth. The teeth probably
rotate to a 45° orientation on the maxilla, thereby penetrating grasped prey (Kroll,
1976). Taub (1967) hypothesized that the mobility of the maxilla might aid inflic-
tion of a wound amenable to inflow of Duvernoy's secretion.
Heterodon platirhinos
possesses a row of recurved maxillary teeth, unequal in length and separated by a
