Do the risks of predation and intermale competition affect courtship behavior in the salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus?

Kerry Uzendoski; Esther Maksymovitch; Paul Verrell

doi:10.1007/bf00168826

Do the risks of predation and intermale competition affect courtship behavior in the salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus?

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology ◽

10.1007/bf00168826 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 421-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Kerry Uzendoski ◽

Esther Maksymovitch ◽

Paul Verrell

Keyword(s):

Courtship Behavior ◽

Intermale Competition ◽

Desmognathus Ochrophaeus

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Courtship Behavior of the Small-Mouthed Salamander (Ambystoma Texanum): the Effects of Conspecific Males On Male Mating Tactics

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/156853992x00417 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 121 (1-2) ◽

pp. 1-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Scott R. McWilliams

Keyword(s):

Geographic Variation ◽

Sibling Species ◽

Courtship Behavior ◽

Male Mating ◽

Mating Tactics ◽

Defense Behavior ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Ambystoma Texanum ◽

Sexual Interference ◽

Intermale Competition

Abstract1. The courtship behavior of A. texanum consisted of a rapid nudging period followed by males producing many spermatophores, some of which were picked up by the female. Neither amplexus or leading by the male were integral components of courtship. Consequently, proposed geographic variation in A. texanum courtship remains unsubstantiated. 2. Courtship behavior of A. texanum and A. barbouri (formerly pond and stream form A. texanum, respectively) is very similar; only the location of courtship and perhaps the frequency of sexual interference tactics are different for these two sibling species. 3. A. texanum courtship is rapid, males produce large numbers of spermatophores per courtship and invest little courtship time per spermatophore, and intermale competition is extreme. 4. Male A. texanum promote their sexual success using sexual interference behavior (e.g. covering other spermatophores with their own) and to a lesser degree sexual defense behavior (e.g. forcefully nudging rival males). 5. Male sexual success is primarily enhanced directly - A. texanum males increase the number of spermatophores produced when at least two other males are courting the same female. The temporal allocation of these additional spermatophores is adaptive only if males are maximizing the number of ejaculates per female or breeding typically occurs in polygamous aggregations.

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