Diet of Boiruna sertaneja Zaher, 1996: a comprehensive review integrating literature, digital media, and new records

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Abstract
Boiruna sertaneja is a large snake primarily associated with the Caatinga and recognized for its pronounced ophiophagy. Nevertheless, information on its diet remains scattered across a limited number of publications and isolated records. Here, we compiled available dietary information from the scientific literature, photographs and videos published on digital platforms, and unpublished observations by the authors. Only prey identified to species level were included, whereas records predating the formal description of B. sertaneja were assessed separately because of historical taxonomic uncertainties. We documented 18 prey species belonging to 11 families and four major vertebrate groups. Snakes accounted for 50.0% of prey species richness, followed by lizards (27.8%), birds (16.7%), and amphisbaenians (5.6%). When historical records potentially attributable to the species are considered separately, the list reaches 22 species and also includes mammals. The diet was predominantly reptivorous and strongly characterized by ophiophagy, but was not exclusive, indicating sufficient trophic plasticity to include birds and potentially mammals. Audiovisual records added new prey species, including Amphisbaena alba, documented for the first time as prey of B. sertaneja. The authors’ observations also documented active predation on live birds, while audiovisual records revealed behaviors including pursuit, restraint, constriction, prey manipulation, and ingestion. Integrating conventional and digital sources expanded our knowledge of the diet and feeding behavior of B. sertaneja, highlighting the value of complementary approaches for studying the natural history of elusive and poorly sampled snakes.

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