A population analysis of two species of streamside salamanders, genus Desmognathus

Herpetologica
1921_Hall.pdf
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Abstract

Desmognathus fuscus and Desmognathus ochrophaeus mere studied over a 6-wk period by mark-recapture and removal methods. Density is ~. 0.8/m2 in D. fuscus and 0.6 - l.l/m2 in D. ochrophaeus; respective biomass densities are 1.5 and 1.0 g/m2. Adjusted estimates indicate a greater proportion of adults in D. ochrophaeus. The observed sex ratio is unbalanced in favor of males but may be close to 1:1 in each species. Adult male age structures based on testis lobes indicate greater adult survivorship in D. ochrophaeus than D. fuscus. Local populations of D. ochrophaeus may differ from others studied in having a shortened larval period. Indirect evidence may indicate greater predation on D. fuscus than on D. ochrophaeus. Fecundity is positively correlated with the size of females in both species and the slopes of the regression lines are similar. Mean egg complements are 21.2 for D. fuscus and 15.6 for D. ochrophaeus. Most observations support the hypothesis that demographic differences are related to differences in degree of terrestrialism between the two species.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A population analysis of two species of streamside salamanders, genus Desmognathus
Series title Herpetologica
Volume 33
Issue 1
Year Published 1977
Language English
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 109-113
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Herpetologica
First page 109
Last page 113
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