Record Details
Shifty salamanders: transient trophic polymorphism and cannibalism within natural populations of larval ambystomatid salamanders
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Shifty salamanders: transient trophic polymorphism and cannibalism within natural populations of larval ambystomatid salamanders |
| Names |
Jefferson, Dale M.
(creator) Ferrari, Maud C. O. (creator) Mathis, Alicia (creator) Hobson, Keith A. (creator) Britzke, Eric R. (creator) Crane, Adam L. (creator) Blaustein, Andrew R. (creator) Chivers, Douglas P. (creator) |
| Date Issued | 2014-10-14 (iso8601) |
| Note | This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by BioMed Central Ltd. The published article can be found at: http://www.frontiersinzoology.com/. |
| Abstract | INTRODUCTION: Many species of ambystomatid salamanders are dependent upon highly variable temporary wetlands for larval development. High larval densities may prompt the expression of a distinct head morphology that may facilitate cannibalism. However, few studies have characterized structural cannibalism within natural populations of larval salamanders. In this study we used two species of larval salamanders, long-toed (Ambystoma macrodactylum) and ringed salamanders (A. annulatum). Head morphometrics and stable isotopic values of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) were used to identify the presence or absence of structural cannibalism. Weather conditions were also analyzed as a potential factor associated with the expression of cannibalistic morphology. RESULTS: Populations of salamander larvae did not consistently exhibit cannibalistic morphologies throughout collection periods. Larval long-toed salamanders exhibited trophic polymorphisms when relatively lower precipitation amounts were observed. Larval ringed salamanders were observed to be cannibalistic but did not exhibit polymorphisms in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Structural cannibalism may be transient in both species; however in long-toed salamanders this morphology is necessary for cannibalism. Ringed salamanders can be cannibalistic without morphological adaptations; however the cannibal morph may prolong the viable time period for cannibalism. Additionally, weather conditions may alter pond hydroperiod, subsequently influencing head morphology and cannibalism. |
| Genre | Article |
| Access Condition | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/ |
| Topic | Cannibalism |
| Identifier | Jefferson, D. M., Ferrari, M. C., Mathis, A., Hobson, K. A., Britzke, E. R., Crane, A. L., ... & Chivers, D. P. (2014). Shifty salamanders: transient trophic polymorphism and cannibalism within natural populations of larval ambystomatid salamanders. Frontiers in Zoology, 11, 76. doi:10.1186/s12983-014-0076-7 |
