Life history and ecology of the southern redback salamander, Plethodon serratus, in Missouri

Abstract

The life history and ecology of Plethodon serratus were studied in two populations in southcentral and southeastern Missouri, USA. One population was located on private land in Perry County and the other was located in Mark Twain National Forest in Phelps County. Courtship and insemination probably occurred between December and March. Oviposition occurred during May or June and eggs hatched during July or August. Gravid females contained an average of 6.3 (range 4-10) enlarged ovarian follicles. We assume that reproduction among females is biennial on the basis of two distinct groups of mature females, those with enlarged, yolk-filled follicles and those with only small follicles. Hatchlings emerged in September and October and averaged 17 mm SVL (range 15-20 mm SVL). The growing season extended from September to May and little growth occurred during June to August. Growth during the first year after hatching averaged 10 mm. Plethodon serratus was most active on the forest surface between October and May in Phelps County and August and May in Perry County. The life-history pattern observed for P. serratus has characteristics of other small temperate plethodontid salamanders.

Citation

Herbeck, Laura A. 2000. Life history and ecology of the southern redback salamander, Plethodon serratus, in Missouri. Journal of Herpetology. Volume 34. Issue 3. 2000. pp. 341-347