scholarly journals EVIDENCE OF COMMUNAL OVIPOSITION AND NEST ABANDONMENT IN THE NORTHERN TWO-LINED SALAMANDER (EURYCEA BISLINEATA, (GREEN, 1818)) IN NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT

2014 ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
Elizabeth L. Jockusch ◽  
Taylor F. Ferguson ◽  
Elizabeth K. Timpe
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Reproductive Strategy ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Plethodontid Salamanders ◽  
Eurycea Bislineata ◽  
Large Clusters ◽  
Nest Site Limitation ◽  
Rock Size ◽  
Oviposition Sites

Most plethodontid salamanders oviposit their eggs in an individual nest and attend the clutch until hatching. Here, we describe aspects of the reproduction of Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander) from three field sites in northeastern Connecticut that contrast with the typical plethodontid reproductive behavior. Rocks used as oviposition sites contained up to 296 eggs, with an average of more than 100. These numbers exceed the maximum ovarian egg counts for this species, indicating that communal oviposition is common. The lack of correlation between rock size and number of eggs, as well as the lack of discrete clutches when eggs are laid in large clusters, suggests that communal oviposition may be caused by something other than nest site limitation. Additionally, the rate of maternal attendance at nests was low. Thus, communal oviposition with high rates of nest abandonment is the dominant reproductive strategy in E. bislineata at these sites.

Experiments with artificial nests provide evidence for ant community stratification and nest site limitation in a tropical forest

Biotropica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ondřej Mottl ◽  
Jacob Yombai ◽  
Tom M. Fayle ◽  
Vojtěch Novotný ◽  
Petr Klimeš
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Ant Community ◽  
Nest Site Limitation

Marbled salamanders (Ambystoma opacum) choose low elevation nest sites when cover availability is controlled

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Scott ◽  
Dean Croshaw
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Selective Forces

AbstractNest site selection is an important part of adult reproductive behavior because growth and survival of young are often affected by the local environment. In terrestrially nesting marbled salamanders, nest elevation is likely important to reproductive success because it is directly related to the time of hatching. We tested the hypothesis that females choose nest sites based on elevation and its correlates by controlling the availability of nesting cover, a potentially important factor in nest site selection which often covaries with elevation. Breeding adults were confined to field enclosures in which natural nesting cover had been removed and replaced with equal proportions of artificial cover in each of three elevation zones. In four enclosures that spanned from lowest to highest areas of a wetland breeding site, females used artificial nesting cover most frequently at low elevations. These results contrast with other studies in which intermediate elevations had highest nest densities, but are consistent with a conceptual model in which opposing selective forces result in locally adapted nest site selection.

Reproductive Behavior and Its Relation To Territoriality in Cal Op Ter Yx Ma Cula Ta (Beauvois) (Odonata: Calopterygidae)

Behaviour ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 47 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 240-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan K. Waage
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Pair Formation ◽  
Territorial Behavior ◽  
Oviposition Site ◽  
Mating Frequency ◽  
Northeastern United States ◽  
Interspecific Variations ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Calopteryx Maculata ◽  
Oviposition Sites

AbstractPair-forming, courtship, mating, and post-copulatory behaviors are described for populations of Calopteryx maculata in the central and northeastern United States. Two pair forming displays were noted: (1) a display of the male's wings and abdomen (the cross display) at an oviposition site in his territory to an approaching female; and (2) a hovering courtship flight before a perching female. Similar displays are performed by C. aequabilis, C. splendens, and C. virgo, although intra- and interspecific variations occur in the cross display and its position in the pair-forming sequence. Both displays present the species and sex-specific color patterns of the male's wings and abdomen to the female early in pair formation. Pair formation differs in the three types of male-female encounters observed: (1) female flies into the male's territory; (2) male discovers an ovipositing female; and (3) male discovers a female on shore. The first type involves only territorial males and is the only one in which the cross display is performed. The other encounters involve both territorial and nonterritorial males. Courtship flight is present in the pair-forming sequences of all three encounter types. The cross display identifies a particular male with an oviposition site in his territory. This makes it possible for females to choose among males on the basis of the suitability of these oviposition sites. Females mating with territorial males benefit from reduced interference from other males during oviposition. The selective advantages of territoriality for a Calopteryx male are: (1) an increase in his mating frequency by the exclusive occupation of an oviposition area attractive to females ; and (2) an increase in the number of eggs he fertilizes by protecting mated females during their oviposition. It is likely that territorial behavior in Calopteryx functions primarily in obtaining and selecting mates and secondarily in reducing interference with pair formation and oviposition. Sexual selection among males for attracting mates and lessening sperm competition may have been an important factor in the evolution of territorial behavior in Calopteryx.

Coloniality in the Crab PloverDromas ardeoladoes not Depend on Nest Site Limitation

Waterbirds ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Chiozzi ◽  
Giuseppe De Marchi ◽  
Dawit Semere
Keyword(s):  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Limitation

scholarly journals Flight, feeding and reproductive behavior of Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) adults

2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenita Jacob Oliveira ◽  
Maria Alice Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Helianthus Annuus ◽  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Flight Period ◽  
Important Food ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Oviposition Sites ◽  
Short Flight

Phyllophaga cuyabana is a univoltine species and its development occurs completely underground. Its control by conventional methods, such as chemical and biological insecticides, is difficult, so it is important to understand its dispersion, reproduction, and population behavior in order to determine best pest management strategies. The objective of this work was to study the behavior of adults of P. cuyabana. This study was carried out in the laboratory, greenhouse and field sites in Paraná State, Brazil (24º25' S and 52º48' W), during four seasons. The results obtained demonstrate that: a) P. cuyabana adults have a synchronized short-flight period when mating and reproduction occurs; b) adults tend to aggregate in specific sites for mating; c) the majority of adults left the soil on alternate nights; d) the choice of mating and oviposition sites was made by females before copulation, since after copulation adults did not fly from or bury themselves at nearby locations; e) females that fed on leaves after mating, oviposited more eggs than females that had not fed;f) plant species such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and the Crotalaria juncea are important food sources for adults.

scholarly journals Sex-Specific Oviposition Site Selection and Hatching Success in an Arboreal Treefrog: Implications of a Paternal Nest-Site Selection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Feng Chuang ◽  
Nien-Tse Fuh ◽  
Sinlan Poo ◽  
Yeong-Choy Kam
Keyword(s):  
Water Depth ◽  
Female Choice ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Oviposition Site ◽  
Offspring Survival ◽  
Oviposition Site Selection ◽  
Resource Defense ◽  
Oviposition Sites

Abstract Oviposition sites selected by parents is an important factor that affects offspring survival and parental fitness. A good nest site offers offspring protection from competition, predation, and harsh environmental conditions. In amphibians, though oviposition sites are generally determined by females, the distinction between male and female choice can be blurred in species with resource defense mating systems, where males occupy the territory that eggs are deposited before advertising for females. Using a phytotelm-breeding frog (Kurixalus eiffingeri) with male territoriality and biparental care, we examined 310 oviposition sites to determine (1) male choice based on physical characteristics of the site (stump height, inner diameter, stump depth, water depth), and (2) female choice based on site characteristics and male characteristics (snout-vent length and body condition). We hypothesized that either one or both sexes would select oviposition site based on characteristics correlate with higher offspring survivorship. We found that males preferred sites with deeper pools of water, while females showed no preference for sites or males based on the characteristics observed. While we cannot prove any nest traits directly benefit offspring, we contend that increased water depth within the phytotelm may 1) protect male frog from snake predation, which would allow for continued paternal care that increases the hatching success and 2) improve the offspring survival during the larval period. Our findings provide empirical evidence of male-driven oviposition site selection in an amphibian and highlight often overlooked role that males play in increasing their reproductive output by selecting for sites that benefit their offspring.

Experimental nest site limitation affects reproductive strategies and parental investment in a hole-nesting passerine

2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 1075-1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Jacot ◽  
Mihai Valcu ◽  
Kees van Oers ◽  
Bart Kempenaers
Keyword(s):  
Parental Investment ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Limitation
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