1. The effects of conspecifics on burrow selection in juvenile spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum)
- Author
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Kathryn M. Greene, Shannon E. Pittman, and Michael E. Dorcas
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Amphibian ,education.field_of_study ,biology ,Ecology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Population ,biology.organism_classification ,Burrow ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Ambystoma maculatum ,Animal ecology ,biology.animal ,Biological dispersal ,Juvenile ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Coarse woody debris ,education ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) are pond-breeding amphibians that disperse into terrestrial habitat from natal wetlands after undergoing metamorphosis, relying on small-mammal burrows and coarse woody debris for refugia. The effect of conspecifics on burrow use in juvenile salamanders is poorly understood. Determining how the presence of conspecifics influences the settlement decisions of juvenile salamanders can increase our understanding of amphibian dispersal and our ability to predict population dynamics. We conducted behavioral laboratory trials using 58 recently metamorphosed salamanders to examine how salamanders selected burrows in the presence of conspecifics. Salamanders were more likely to settle in a burrow that was occupied by a conspecific versus an unoccupied burrow. Our results indicate that juvenile salamanders may show conspecific attraction and/or trailing behavior during the dispersal phase.
- Published
- 2016
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