Meeting Abstract

P3.107  Thursday, Jan. 6  Nest Site Defense by Brooding Female Green Salamanders, <1>Aneides aeneus<1/> CUPP, JR., P. V.; Eastern Kentucky University paul.cupp@eku.edu

Brooding behavior and nest site defense in female green salamanders, <1>Aneides aeneus<1/>, was studied from 1976-2004 in SE KY. Females deposited and defended single clusters of eggs (range = 12-25 eggs) in individual rock crevices over a period of 67-82 days during the summer, averaging 73 days. Over 89% (108 of 121) of egg clutches hatched successfully. Females usually remained with hatchlings for 3-5 weeks. Females aggressively defended eggs and hatchlings when sticks were inserted into crevices (27 of 28 instances), and also attacked and rejected male <1>A. aeneus<1/> introduced into brooding crevices. Females remained with their eggs almost constantly; leaving them for even a short time may result in loss of the clutch. In one case, an abandoned egg clutch was attacked by phorid flies. Flies deposited their eggs on <1>A. aeneus<1/> eggs and fly larvae subsequently consumed them. Thus, female <1>A. aeneus<1/> must remain with their eggs constantly and actively defend them to ensure reproductive success.