TERRITORIALITY IN A TERRESTRIAL SALAMANDER: THE INFLUENCE OF RESOURCE QUALITY AND BODY SIZE

摘要: Intraspecific interference competition associated with territoriality has been documented in laboratory studies of the red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus. I used and field experiments to study effect resource quality body size on such competition. In an experiment southwestern Virginia, cover objects (e.g., logs) from which resident salamanders were removed invaded significantly more often than salamander was not removed. These data provide first direct test for a natural habitat. Newly invading smaller original territorial residents. Therefore, large is advantage encounters. Because are important resources terrestrial salamanders, characteristics object may contribute territory quality. conducted during warm summer weather at Virginia site, soil temperatures under cooler those small or leaf litter. Large therefore benefit by providing buffer zone between extreme environmental forest floor. both experiments, when offered choice objects, exhibited significant preference objects. Also censused mixed hardwood habitat courting noncourting seasons and, seasons, found positive correlation that it occupied. conclude that, this habitat, there intraspecific high larger individuals successful competitors individuals.