Seasonal variation of mortality, detectability, and body condition in a population of the adder (Vipera berus).

ABSTRACT: We analyzed seasonal variation in mortality rates in adult males and females of the European adder (Vipera berus), using data collected during a 13-year capture-recapture study (2005-2017) in a large population. We concurrently obtained quantitative information on the seasonal variation in the detectability and body condition of adders. Our results show strong seasonality in body condition, encounter, and capture rates of adult adders, and these patterns differ markedly between sexes and between breeding and nonbreeding females. Seasonal variation in mortality rates was however virtually nonexistent in males and moderately low in both breeding and nonbreeding females. In addition, we found no evidence for among-year differences in the seasonal mortality schedules of males and female

SUBMITTER: Bauwens D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6540836 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature