Intraspecific Sympatry in a "Ring Species," the Plethodontid Salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii, in Southern California

Evolution ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 866 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Wake ◽  
Kay P. Yanev ◽  
Charles W. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Southern California ◽  
Plethodontid Salamander ◽  
Ensatina Eschscholtzii ◽  
Ring Species

Modulation of prey-capture behavior in the plethodontid salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii

1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (14) ◽  
pp. 1951-1964 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Deban
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Sensory Feedback ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Prey Type ◽  
Jaw Movements ◽  
Plethodontid Salamander ◽  
Ensatina Eschscholtzii ◽  
Prey Capture Behavior

The hypothesis that salamander prey-capture behavior is highly stereotyped was tested in the plethodontid salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii using high-speed videography and kinematic analysis of feedings on two types of prey (waxworms and termites). The results show that E. eschscholtzii is capable of modulating the timing and magnitude of tongue and jaw movements in response to prey type. Feedings on waxworms, the larger prey, were characterized by shorter durations and higher velocities of tongue and jaw movements compared with feedings on termites, particularly in the latter portion of the feeding sequence (i.e. after prey contact). To test the hypothesis that sensory feedback through the tongue pad plays a role in modulating feeding movements in response to prey type, the ramus lingualis of the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX), which is known to carry sensory information from the tongue pad in salamanders, was transected bilaterally. This experimental deafferentation of the tongue pad had no effect on the degree or direction of differences in feeding kinematics across prey type. These results refute the glossopharyngeal feedback hypothesis, but are consistent with the hypothesis that E. eschscholtzii responds more vigorously to larger prey by assessing prey size visually.

scholarly journals Loss of traditional mucous glands and presence of a novel mucus-producing granular gland in the plethodontid salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii

2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARY F. FONTANA ◽  
KIMBERLY A. ASK ◽  
RYAN J. MACDONALD ◽  
AMANDA M. CARNES ◽  
NANCY L. STAUB
Keyword(s):  
Plethodontid Salamander ◽  
Ensatina Eschscholtzii

Courtship of the Plethodontid Salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii

Copeia ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 1949 (4) ◽  
pp. 274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Stebbins
Keyword(s):  
Plethodontid Salamander ◽  
Ensatina Eschscholtzii
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