The Spermatophore of the Small-Mouthed Salamander, Ambystoma texanum (Amphibia, Urodela, Ambystomatidae)

1978 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
George M. Labanick ◽  
George T. Davis
Keyword(s):  
1981 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 609-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lonnie D. Russell ◽  
Ronald A. Brandon ◽  
Edward J. Zalisko ◽  
J. Martan
Keyword(s):  

Behaviour ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 121 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott R. McWilliams

Abstract1. The courtship behavior of A. texanum consisted of a rapid nudging period followed by males producing many spermatophores, some of which were picked up by the female. Neither amplexus or leading by the male were integral components of courtship. Consequently, proposed geographic variation in A. texanum courtship remains unsubstantiated. 2. Courtship behavior of A. texanum and A. barbouri (formerly pond and stream form A. texanum, respectively) is very similar; only the location of courtship and perhaps the frequency of sexual interference tactics are different for these two sibling species. 3. A. texanum courtship is rapid, males produce large numbers of spermatophores per courtship and invest little courtship time per spermatophore, and intermale competition is extreme. 4. Male A. texanum promote their sexual success using sexual interference behavior (e.g. covering other spermatophores with their own) and to a lesser degree sexual defense behavior (e.g. forcefully nudging rival males). 5. Male sexual success is primarily enhanced directly - A. texanum males increase the number of spermatophores produced when at least two other males are courting the same female. The temporal allocation of these additional spermatophores is adaptive only if males are maximizing the number of ejaculates per female or breeding typically occurs in polygamous aggregations.


1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Bogart ◽  
Lawrence E. Licht ◽  
Michael J. Oldham ◽  
Stephen J. Darbyshire

Ambystoma salamanders from Pelee Island, Ontario, were compared with mainland populations of A. jeffersonianum, A. laterale, and A. texanum using erythrocyte area measurements, chromosome counts, and electrophoretic analysis of proteins coded by 32 loci. The mainland species are characterized by relatively low heterozygosity (H = 0.053–0.11) and high Nei's genetic distances (D = 0.896–1.067). Nine diagnostic loci were found in A. jeffersonianum and five in each of A. laterale and A. texanum. Two loci (SOD-1 and GOT-1) diagnose all three mainland species and provide gene dosage for assessing genome contributions of A. laterale and A. texanum in Pelee Island salamanders. Diploid and triploid female A. texanum × A. laterale hybrids as well as A. laterale and A. texanum occur on Pelee Island.


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