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Behavioral Interactions Between Two Desmognathine Salamander Species: Importance of Competition and Predation
Author(s) -
Roudebush Roger E.,
Taylor Douglas H.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1939228
Subject(s) - interspecific competition , intraspecific competition , competition (biology) , salamander , predation , caudata , biology , ecology , substrate (aquarium)
Behavioral interactions were examined in two species of salamanders. Desmognathus quadramaculatus and D. monticola, in artificial stream tanks. Substrate choice for D. monticola was altered in the presence of D. quadramaculatus, but the converse was not observed. The substrate choice of small D. monticola was altered in the presence of large D. monticola. Interspecific competition for substrate was not detected, and those species—specific avoidance of D. quadramaculatus by D. monticola may thus represent predator avoidance. Intraspecific competition for substrate was detected in D. monticola. Competition and predation both appear to structure desmognathine salamander communities.