Finkler, M.S.*; Sugalski, M.T.; Claussen, D.L.: Sex-Related Differences in Locomotor Performance and Metabolism in Breeding Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum).

We investigated differences in metabolism and locomotor performance of male and female spotted salamanders collected during the breeding season. Male salamanders had faster voluntary crawling speeds than did females (both gravid and non-gravid). Burst swimming velocity was higher in males than in gravid females, but there was no difference in burst crawling speeds between the sexes. Oxygen consumption was greater in females both during rest and during locomotion at the voluntary crawling speed of gravid females. Both male and nongravid females sustained locomotion longer than did gravid females. These findings suggest differences in locomotor performance and energetics that may account for observed differences in arrival times at breeding sites and survival between male and female mole salamanders.