Nesting Ecology of the Western Slimy Salamander (Plethodon albagula) from an Abandoned Mine Shaft in Arkansas by Stan Trauth, Department of Biological Sciences Arkansas State University

Family Plethodontidae (lungless salamanders) Largest family of salamanders (27 genera and 240 species) Largest family of salamanders (27 genera and 240 species) Most diversity in the Nearctic (25 genera),but most species are Neotropical (188 species) Most diversity in the Nearctic (25 genera),but most species are Neotropical (188 species) Two subfamilies (Plethodontinae and Desmognathinae) and three tribes (Hemidactyliini, Plethodontini, and Bolitoglossini) Two subfamilies (Plethodontinae and Desmognathinae) and three tribes (Hemidactyliini, Plethodontini, and Bolitoglossini) All plethodontids possess a nasolabial groove All plethodontids possess a nasolabial groove The Plethodontini lack aquatic larvae The Plethodontini lack aquatic larvae The genus Plethodon is strictly North American and is represented by at least 34 species The genus Plethodon is strictly North American and is represented by at least 34 species Genus Pseudoeurycea showing nasolabial groove (from Biology of Amphibians, by W. Duellman and L. Trueb)

Salamanders of the Genus Plethodon in Arkansas Nine species of Plethodon Nine species of Plethodon Seven species occur in the Ouachita Mountains Seven species occur in the Ouachita Mountains Of the seven, two (P. caddoensis and P. fourchensis) are endemic to Arkansas Of the seven, two (P. caddoensis and P. fourchensis) are endemic to Arkansas Of the remaining five, three (P. albagula, P. kiamichi, and P. sequoyah) are in a sibling species complex Of the remaining five, three (P. albagula, P. kiamichi, and P. sequoyah) are in a sibling species complex Redback Salamander, P. serratus

Caddo Mountain Salamander, Plethodon caddoensis

Fourche Mountain Salamander, Plethodon fourchensis

Rich Mountain Salamander, Plethodon ouachitae

Western Slimy Salamander, Plethodon albagula

Rich Mountain, Polk County, AR

Distribution of Plethodon species in southwestern Arkansas

David Saugey, USFS Research Biologist, at Spillway Mine

Robyn Jordan, ASU Graduate Student

Entrance to Spillway Mine

Shaft extends horizontally m

Measuring microhabitat parameters and counting egg clutches

Aggregate of nesting female Plethodon albagula

Brooding Data in Plethodon Facts About What Is Known 1. Most data on brooding have been gleaned through behavioral studies in the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), a small eastern species. 2. The primary focus has been on brooding females that either laid and brooded eggs in the laboratory or were removed along with their egg clutches from natural nesting cavities and then were sequestered in the laboratory setting. 3. Many observations were recorded during experimental manipulation of brooding females, their egg clutches, and/or their nesting environments. 4. Brooding information on most large species of Plethodon is lacking primarily because naturally-occurring egg clutches are deposited in secluded microhabitats in areas inaccessible to researchers.

Selected Critical Data Lacking On Plethodon Nesting Ecology 1. Nesting Phenology (timing of nesting events) -- Based on seasonal sampling and necropsy of females 2. Nesting Frequency (reproductive cycling--annual, biennial nesting?) -- Based on seasonal sampling and gonadal examination 3. Nest Site Selection (microhabitat requirements and utilization) -- Unknown for nearly all large species of Plethodon 4. Nest Characteristics (nest quality and preparation) 5. Nest Site Fidelity (return to the same or different nesting sites) 6. General Brooding Behavior (territoriality, defense of nest site or egg clutch)

Primary Objectives 1. Document nesting sites of Plethodon albagula in an abandoned mine shaft 2. Observe and record nest site information without disturbing females and/or their egg clutches 3. Evaluate microhabitat utilization by nesting females 4. Address data regarding brooding postures and nest site fidelity 5. Experimentally manipulate females and clutches to determine if female choice occurs between nesting site and egg clutches (indirect egg discrimination) 6. Determine the short-term effects of prescribed burning on the reproductive output in this species ( )

Brooding Postures of Plethodon albagula Six Common Postures A. Egg Clutch Encircled by Body (EEBD) B. Eggs Near or Touching Head and Snout (ETHD) C. Eggs Near or Touching Shoulder Region (ETSH) D. Eggs Near or Touching Body Trunk (ETTR) E. Eggs Near or Touching Pelvic Region (ETHP) F. Eggs Near, Touching, or Encircled by Tail (ETTL)

*Preliminary Results 1.Brooding females yielded 101 postural observations during the three nesting seasons ( ). 2.The most common brooding position was ETSH (34.6%, 35/101) of the time. 3.Six brooding females exhibited nest site fidelity during the 1999 and 2001 seasons. 4.Two brooding females were found at the same nesting sites during the 2000 and 2001 nesting seasons. 5.One female (R335) has returned to the same nesting site five years ( ) in a row *Trauth et al. (In press, Herpetological Natural History)

Brooding Postures of an Individual Plethodon albagula Examined During the 2001 Nesting Season Nesting Site Examination Dates A. 14 September B. 28 September C. 26 October D. 30 November

Nest Site Fidelity and Annual Reproduction (Female - L280.5) Nov. 3, 2000Sept. 28, 2001

Nest Site Fidelity and Annual Reproduction (Female - R198) Nov. 3, 2000Sept. 14, 2001

*Egg Discrimination Brooding females (n = 13) were presented with their Brooding females (n = 13) were presented with their own egg clutches (displaced 50 cm left or right) and unfamiliar egg clutches at their original nest sites Females were released at an equal distance from both egg clutches Females were released at an equal distance from both egg clutches After 24 hr, 9 females (69.2%) had returned to their own next sites and were brooding unfamiliar egg clutches. After 24 hr, 9 females (69.2%) had returned to their own next sites and were brooding unfamiliar egg clutches. These results suggest that brooding females exhibit indirect egg discrimination These results suggest that brooding females exhibit indirect egg discrimination *Master’s Thesis – Robyn Jordan

Sept. 2 Oct. 6 Nov. 3Dec. 20 L

Sept. 2Oct. 6 Nov. 3 Dec. 20 L

Sept. 2, 2000 Nov. 5, 1999 Dec. 30, 1999 Sept. 14, 2001 R335

August 22, 2003Oct. 11, 2002 Sept. 13, 2002 R335

Aggressive Behavior L325

Successful Defense of Egg Clutch 5

Female (R12) laying eggs on 13 Sept. 2002

Conclusions 1. Female Plethodon albagula exhibit at least six brooding postures; specific postures can be maintained for prolonged periods of time % of females exhibited nest site fidelity. 3. Oviposition during consecutive breeding seasons does occur, although most females exhibit the more typical biennial reproductive cycle. 4. Some type of egg discrimination exists.

Acknowledgments Dept. of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University United States Forest Service, Ouachita National Forest And my graduate and undergraduate students