Snake database: 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, habitats, reproductive mode, clutch size, diet, fangs 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.

从功能视角理解生物多样性，对于进化生物学与生态学研究均具备重要价值。蛇类是一类独特且多样的陆生脊椎动物类群，现存物种逾4000种，是陆地生态系统的重要组成部分。然而，蛇类功能性状（functional traits）的相关研究资料分散于海量的原始文献之中。除体型等少数性状外，绝大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较难获取。本研究构建了全球物种级别的蛇类功能性状数据库。该数据库遵循最新的分类学框架，涵盖4040个物种。我们基于1289项科学文献来源整合构建该数据库，文献类型包括同行评议论文、学术专著、在线数据库、自然历史记录以及野外指南。本数据库收录的功能性状信息包括体型、相对尾长、昼夜活动模式、体色、生境、繁殖方式、窝卵数、食性、毒牙以及红外感应能力。上述性状的详细说明以及分类性状的编码体系可参见研究补充材料。据我们所知，本数据库是目前针对蛇类最为全面的功能性状数据集。鉴于本数据集旨在打造动态更新的活数据库，我们将每年对其进行更新，新增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类极具研究价值且意义重大的蛇类类群开展宏生态学与宏进化相关研究。