Relationship between Stream Order and Length of Larval Period in the Salamander Eurycea wilderae
Voss SR. 1993. Relationship between Stream Order and Length of Larval Period in the Salamander Eurycea wilderae. Copeia. 1993(3):736-742
A bimonthly sampling program was employed over approximately four months in the summer of 1987 to examine the relationship between stream order and length of the larval period in Eurycea wilderae. In four southern Appalachian drainages, a small first-order tributary was paired with an adjacent higher-order section of the main stream. Larvae metamorphosed after one year in all first order streams except one, whereas in the higher-order streams, larvae metamorphosed after one or two years. Variation in the length of the larval period appears to be the result of temperature differences between first-order and higher order streams. First-order streams were cooler than higher-order streams in the summer, but warmer than higher-order streams in the winter. Warmer winter temperatures in first-order streams appear to cue adult females to ovipost earlier. This leads to an earlier hatching date and an extended growing season for larvae in first-order streams. Also, a seasonal shift in stream temperature was more pronounced in higher-order streams than in first-order streams. The warmer temperature conditions in first-order streams may allow larvae to complete development after one year and initiate metamorphosis.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Voss, S
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Blue-ridge Two-lined Salamander, GRSM-01853, Larvae, larval period, metamorphosis, Salamander, Straight Fork, stream order
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Amphibians and Reptiles