Polyandrous reproductive behavior of Boa constrictor Linnaeus, 1758 (Serpentes, Boidae) in the Brazilian Cerrado, Brazil

Authors

  • Rodney Murillo Peixoto Couto Author
  • Micaela do Carmo Canedo dos Santos Author
  • Gabrielli Fardin Author
  • Priscilla Soares dos Santos Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18404799

Keywords:

Polyandry, Reproductive ecology, Sexual behavior, Sperm competition

Abstract

Here, we present the first record of polyandrous reproductive behavior in Boa constrictor within the Brazilian Cerrado. On 29 June 2024, at 11:00 h, three adult individuals (two males and one female) were observed engaging in mating behavior in a rural area of the municipality of Pereira Barreto, state of São Paulo. Sex was identified based on tail morphology. Both males copulated alternately with the same female, with no evidence of agonistic interactions. The event lasted approximately 30 minutes and occurred during the dry season, coinciding with the species’ reproductive period. Boa constrictor is viviparous, exhibits size‑dependent sexual maturity, and shows high ecological plasticity. This record expands current knowledge of the species’ reproductive biology in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Author Biographies

  • Rodney Murillo Peixoto Couto

    É biólogo, com formação acadêmica voltada às Ciências Biológicas e atuação nas áreas de Zoologia e Ecologia, com ênfase em Herpetologia. Desenvolve pesquisas relacionadas ao comportamento reprodutivo, história natural, ecologia e conservação de vertebrados, especialmente répteis e anfíbios neotropicais. Possui experiência em estudos de campo, monitoramento de fauna, análise comportamental e produção científica. Atua em projetos de pesquisa envolvendo ecologia reprodutiva, diversidade genética e estratégias comportamentais, com registros publicados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais. É membro de sociedades científicas voltadas ao estudo e à conservação da herpetofauna e participa de iniciativas acadêmicas e técnicas relacionadas à conservação da biodiversidade brasileira, com especial atenção a ecossistemas ameaçados, como o Cerrado e a Mata Atlântica.

  • Micaela do Carmo Canedo dos Santos

    Graduanda em Ciências Biológicas pela Universidade Estadual do Paraná (UNESPAR), Campus Paranavaí, onde desenvolve atividades de pesquisa na área de comportamento animal e divulgação científica.

  • Gabrielli Fardin

    Graduanda em Ciências Biológicas na Universidade Estadual do Paraná (UNESPAR), Campus Paranavaí. Atua na vigilância ambiental municipal e participa de pesquisas colaborativas na área de zoologia e conservação de fauna.

  • Priscilla Soares dos Santos

    Doutora em Ecologia e Mestre em Biologia Animal (Zoologia) pela Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). Especialista em diagnóstico morfológico e molecular de hemoparasitose e helmintos em répteis e anfíbios. Atualmente, é Pesquisadora Pós-Doutoranda (CNPq), investigando a dinâmica parasitohospedeiro e redes tróficas. Possui experiência em análise de projetos ambientais (EIA/ RIMA) como Analista Ambiental.

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Published

2026-05-06

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2026): Herpetologia Brasileira

Section

Artigos

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Copyright (c) 2026 Herpetologia Brasileira

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How to Cite

PEIXOTO COUTO, Rodney Murillo; CANEDO DOS SANTOS, Micaela do Carmo; FARDIN, Gabrielli; SOARES DOS SANTOS, Priscilla. Polyandrous reproductive behavior of Boa constrictor Linnaeus, 1758 (Serpentes, Boidae) in the Brazilian Cerrado, Brazil. Herpetologia Brasileira, [S. l.], v. 15, n. 1, 2026. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18404799. Disponível em: https://hb.sbherpetologia.org.br/index.php/hb/article/view/240. Acesso em: 15 jun. 2026.