American Midland Naturalist 129:397-402
©1993
Timing of
Reproduction of Paedomorphic and
Metamorphic Ambystoma talpoideum
David E. Scott
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
ABSTRACT: Facultative paedomorphosis in
salamanders is a plastic trait that may represent an adaptation to fluctuating
environmental conditions. I compared the timing of reproduction in paedomorphic
and terrestrial-morph Ambystoma talpoideum at the same pond.
Paedomorphic adults laid eggs approximately 6 wk earlier than terrestrial
morphs. Early egg-laying and subsequent growth of hatchlings resulted in a
significant size advantage for larvae from paedomorphic parents at the time that
terrestrial-morph eggs hatched. These observation suggest that, under
certain environmental conditions, facultative paedomorphosis is advantageous.
Key Words: Caudata; Size advantage; Facultative paedomorphosis; Ambystoma talpoideum.
For PDF reprint, contact David Scott