Territorial Behavior and Ecological Divergence in a Polymorphic Salamander

摘要: Polymorphic species provide an opportunity to examine the process of sympatric divergence as it occurs. The Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, is a polymorphic that has served model organism in behavioral and ecological studies. Recent work suggests two most common color phenotypes (striped unstriped) exhibit weak assortative mating are diverging along number niche dimensions including temperature optima, diet, response predators. Males females P. cinereus territorial this behavior thought function context prey mate acquisition. Striped males have been shown gain access larger, presumably more fecund, females. We posited pattern emerges through differential between phenotypes. predicted striped unstriped salamanders would differ their use cover objects field, aggressive responses intruders laboratory. examined salam...