Sexual Behavior, Sexual Interference and Sexual Defense in the Salamanders Ambystoma maculatum, Ambystoma tigrinum and Plethodon jordani
Arnold SJ. 1976. Sexual Behavior, Sexual Interference and Sexual Defense in the Salamanders Ambystoma maculatum, Ambystoma tigrinum and Plethodon jordani. Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie. 42:247-300
ABSTRACT: Courtship behavior and ♂ ‐ ♂ interactions in the salamanders Ambystoma maculatum, Ambystoma tigrinum and Plethodon jordani were investigated with the aim of determining their adaptive significance. The courtship behavior of approximately 30 pairs of A. maculatum, 10 pairs of A. tigrinum and 50 pairs of P. jordani was observed. Behaviors were recorded by verbal transcription, motion picture and still photography. A. maculatum ♂ ♂ court rapidly, deposit many spermatophores, have simple behavior and low success with each spermatophore. P. jordani ♂ ♂ court slowly, usually deposit a single spermatophore, have complex behavior and high success with each spermatophore. A. tigrinum is intermediate in these respects. ♂ ♂ of the two Ambystoma species actively cover the spermatophores of rival ♂ ♂. Male A. tigrinum and P. jordani dupe rival ♂ ♂ into unprofitable spermatophore depositions by mimicking female behavior. Male A. tigrinum actively transport the ♀ away from rivals. Male P. jordani chase rivals away from the ♀. A hypothesis is proposed which relates the evolution of courtship speed, spermatophore number and sexual defenses to the length of the courtship season, the probability of intrusion by rival ♂ ♂ and the sexual receptivity of the ♀.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Arnold, Stevan
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Ambystoma maculatum, Amphibia, APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Caudata, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, Plethodon jordani, salamanders, SER, Southeast Region