Diurnal Activity, Avian Predation, and the Question of Warning Coloration and Cryptic Coloration in Salamanders
Brandon RA and Huheey JE. 1975. Diurnal Activity, Avian Predation, and the Question of Warning Coloration and Cryptic Coloration in Salamanders. Herpetologica. 31(3):252-255
During summer 1974, diurnal activity was observed in the following plethodontid salamanders: Plethodon jordani, Pseudotriton ruber, Eurycea bislineata, Desmognathus fuscus, D. monticola, D. ochrophaeus, D. quadramaculatus, and Aneides aeneus. That these salamanders are available to diurnal avian predators is further reflected by their cryptic or aposematic coloration, and by a daytime observation of Robin predation on P. jordani. Given that these salamanders are available to birds during the day and that birds learn to avoid noxious and aposematic models as well as palatable but similarly colored mimics, the hypothesis of Batesian mimicry of aposematic P. jordani by D. ochrophaeus and Notophthalmus viridescens by Pseudotriton spp. is a logical one.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Brandon, Ronald; Huheey, James
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Activity Level, Animal Studies, Coloration, Diurnal, Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC TN, GRSM-01719, mimicry, Predation, Salamanders (Caudata), Woodland salamanders (Plethodon)