SnakeTraits 1.0: a species-level database of life history and ecology of snakes

Understanding biodiversity from a functional perspective is important for both evolutionary and ecological studies. Snakes, a unique and diverse group of terrestrial vertebrates with more than 4000 species, are an important part of ecosystems. However, information on the functional traits of snakes is scattered throughout an extensive primary literature. With the exception of a few traits like body size, most traits remain relatively inaccessible to researchers interested in studying the ecology and evolution of snakes on a large scale. In this study, we present a global species-level functional traits database for snakes. This database follows the most recently taxonomic scheme and covers 4040 species. We compiled this database based on 1289 scientific literature sources, including peer-reviewed papers, books, online databases, natural history records and field guides. We collected information on traits including body size, relative tail length, diel activity pattern, colour, microhabitats, reproductive mode, clutch size, diet, venomous and infrared sensing ability. Detailed information on these traits and the coding system for categorical traits can be found in the supporting materials. This database is the most comprehensive on snakes as far as we know. As our objective was to build a living dataset, we will update the database annually by adding new species and modified the data following the taxonomic changes. We hope that this database will facilitate macroecological and macroevolutionary studies of this interesting and important group.从功能性状视角解析生物多样性，对进化生物学与生态学研究均具有重要价值。蛇类作为一类独特且物种丰富的陆生脊椎动物类群，现存物种超过4000种，是生态系统的关键组成部分。然而，有关蛇类功能性状的研究信息散见于海量原始文献中。除体型等少数性状外，多数功能性状对于开展大规模蛇类生态学与进化研究的科研人员而言，仍难以获取。本研究构建了全球物种级蛇类功能性状数据库。该数据库遵循最新分类学体系，涵盖4040个物种。我们基于1289项科学文献来源汇编该数据库，文献类型包括同行评议期刊论文、学术专著、在线数据库、自然历史记录与野外指南。本数据库收录的性状信息涵盖体型、相对尾长、昼夜活动节律、体色、微生境、繁殖方式、窝卵数、食性、毒性以及红外感应能力。有关这些性状的详细说明与分类性状编码系统可参见支撑材料。据我们所知，该数据库是目前针对蛇类最为全面的功能性状数据集。鉴于本研究旨在构建可动态更新的数据集，我们将每年对数据库进行更新，补充新的物种，并依据分类学修订调整相关数据。我们期望本数据库能够推动针对这一兼具科研价值与生态意义的类群的宏生态学与宏进化研究。