Loren Hurst Response of Plethodon cinereus to Chemical Cues from Increasing Numbers of Conspecific Salamanders Division Sciences Department Biology Year 2004 Advisor Geoff Smith

The red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus, is a territorial species that generates and responds to chemical cues.  Such cues play an important role in establishing territories and, along with many ecological factors, affect interactions among conspecifics.  The current study looks at the response of adult male and female P. cinereus to cues from different numbers of conspecifics.  Results show a varied response between male and female salamanders.  Females tend to avoid substrates containing cues from five conspecifics as opposed to one or zero, while males make no distinction.  Additionally, male salamanders move significantly more between substrates than do females.  The sex of the donor salamander leaving behind the cues was not significant in this study.  These results may indicate a difference in the objectives of males and females regarding their response to cues.  Males may use cues to seek a mate while females may seek a safe nesting site.