Resource quality affects the agonistic behaviour of territorial salamanders

Article Abstract:

Males of red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus, are paired in laboratory under feeding conditions of high-quality and low-quality resources such as termites and ants, respectively, to examine if territories of salamanders serve as feeding areas due to restricted availability of prey during rainless periods. Resource quality influences the agonistic behavior of salamanders and the territorial quality depends on the value of available resources. The high digestion efficiency of termites contributes to their superiority as a food resource.

Animal feeding and feeds, Agonistic behavior in animals, Animal agonistic behavior

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Courtship behaviour in male red-backed salamanders: the ESS dating game

Article Abstract:

Red-backed salamanders display complex social interactions, often dependent upon the reproductive status and sex of individuals. An investigation of a red-backed salamander population at Mountain Lake Biological Station, VA, seeks to determine the evolution of male permissive behaviour in which they allow sexually inactive females access to their territories. The study shows that such permissive behaviour is determined by the female preference for permissive males. The results of the study are presented.

Behavior, Observations, Courtship of animals, Mating behavior, Behavior evolution, Behavioral evolution, Plethodontidae, Plethodontid salamanders

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Territorial male salamanders have foraging tactics attractive to gravid females

Article Abstract:

A study of the foraging techniques employed by red-backed salamanders revealed that the males of the species preferred termites to ants as a superior prey type, despite the sparse occurrence of termites in their habitats. Termites have miniature exoskeletons and are easily digested, thereby accounting for their increased consumption by salamanders.

Food and nutrition, Predation (Biology)

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