Ecology 71(1), 1990, pp.
296-306
©1990 by the Ecological Society of America
THE EFFECT OF LARVAL DENSITY IN Ambystoma opacum:
AN EXPERIMENT IN LARGE-SCALE FIELD ENCLOSURES
DAVID E. SCOTT
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802 USA
ABSTRACT: This experiment was designed to measure the effects of larval density on larval traits in the salamander Ambystoma opacum, and to ascertain whether previous studies conducted at smaller spatial scales or higher densities produced artifactual results. Density effects on larval growth, body size at metamorphosis, length of the larval period, and survival to metamorphosis were studied in A. opacum in large-scale (41 m2 and 23 m2) field enclosures in two temporary ponds.
Key Words: Ambystoma opacum; amphibian; density dependence; density effects; field enclosures; hydroperiod; intraspecific competition; larval density; metamorphosis; predator-prey; salamander; survival.