FULFORD, A. D.; HEWS, D. K.: Can redback salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) discriminate conspecific cues on a substrate that is more chemically complex than filter paper?

The redback salamander is suggested to rely heavily on chemoreception in communication. The extensive research documenting chemosensory abilities of this species, and that of most salamanders, is restricted almost entirely to laboratory studies under fairly simplistic conditions. Critically, most studies use filter paper for cue presentation. We are testing detection abilities of Plethodon cinereus from Indiana in the standard filter paper paradigm in the laboratory and also in a more relevant paradigm, using leaves as a substrate for cue presentation. To assess detection abilities, we record a chemosensory behavior, nose-tapping, which is involved in deposition of chemical cues on the sensory epithelium of the vomeronasal organ. We found that rates of nose-tap differed significantly among trials in which salamanders were presented with filter paper with their own chemicals, or with plain water cues, compared to trials with cues from other conspecifics. Thus, Indiana P. cinereus have a commonly documented detection ability, and our testing paradigm is sufficient for statistical detection of such discrimination behavior. We are now using the more realistic testing paradigm of presenting self and conspecific cues on a leaf substrate. Discrimination of cues on a leaf substrate may be a more complex task and the results of this study may provide important information about salamander discrimination abilities.