Courtship Behavior of a Plethodontid Salamander, Desmognathus aeneus

This experiment showed that the courtship behavior of Desmognathus aeneus includes a prolonged biting phase, during which the male bites the female tenaciously. This unusual behavior has been described in only one other plethodontid, Desmognathus wrighti. In most other respects, the courtship behavi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of herpetology 1987-12, Vol.21 (4), p.298-306
Main Author: PROMISLOW, D. E. L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphibia and reptilia
Animal ethology
Animal glands
Biological and medical sciences
Cloaca
Desmognathus aeneus
Female animals
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Male animals
Mating behavior
Pheromone glands
Pheromones
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Salamanders
Spermatophores
Spermatozoa
Vertebrata
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Summary:This experiment showed that the courtship behavior of Desmognathus aeneus includes a prolonged biting phase, during which the male bites the female tenaciously. This unusual behavior has been described in only one other plethodontid, Desmognathus wrighti. In most other respects, the courtship behavior of D. aeneus is similar to that of its congeners. Morphological characters associated with biting, as well as the functional and evolutionary significance of biting, are evaluated.
ISSN:0022-1511
1937-2418
DOI:10.2307/1563971