Reproductive isolation due to divergent selection is thought to be one of the mechanisms that promote speciation in sympatry. A key element of reproductive isolation is assortative mating. We examined a polymorphic population of Eastern Red-backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) for evidence of reproductive isolation through assortative mating. Our study population was made up of two common color morphs, striped and unstriped. In the field, we turned over natural cover objects to find male–female pairs of P. cinereus during peak mating season. We recorded sex, color morphology, and snout–vent length of 112 pairs of salamanders. Estimates of sexual isolation indicated weak assortative pairing in the field with more same-color pairs than expected by chance. Striped females paired with striped males were significantly larger in size than those paired with unstriped males. Intermorph pairs were observed and such pairings, if successful, would interfere with the potential for divergence. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the ability of females of each color morph to distinguish between the two phenotypes through fecal odors and male scent. Additionally, mating trials were conducted to examine assortative mating in the laboratory. We found no evidence that scent or natural diet cues (fecal odors) of males contributed to assortative pairing, but females of both phenotypes were more likely to be associated with striped males during mating trials. Our study provides additional evidence that striped males of P. cinereus may be more attractive to females and this may contribute to positive assortative mating in the field. Territoriality and diet may be important factors that influence this pattern.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Life History, Behavior, and Ecology|
December 30 2013
Assortative Mating in a Polymorphic Salamander
Megan A. Acord;
Megan A. Acord
1 Department of Biology, John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll Boulevard, University Heights, Ohio 44118; E-mail: (MAA) macord11@jcu.edu; (CDA) canthony@jcu.edu; and (CMH) chickerson@jcu.edu. Send reprint requests to CDA.
Search for other works by this author on:
Carl D. Anthony;
Carl D. Anthony
1 Department of Biology, John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll Boulevard, University Heights, Ohio 44118; E-mail: (MAA) macord11@jcu.edu; (CDA) canthony@jcu.edu; and (CMH) chickerson@jcu.edu. Send reprint requests to CDA.
Search for other works by this author on:
Cari-Ann M. Hickerson
Cari-Ann M. Hickerson
1 Department of Biology, John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll Boulevard, University Heights, Ohio 44118; E-mail: (MAA) macord11@jcu.edu; (CDA) canthony@jcu.edu; and (CMH) chickerson@jcu.edu. Send reprint requests to CDA.
Search for other works by this author on:
Copeia (2013) 2013 (4): 676–683.
Citation
Megan A. Acord, Carl D. Anthony, Cari-Ann M. Hickerson; Assortative Mating in a Polymorphic Salamander. Copeia 1 December 2013; 2013 (4): 676–683. doi: https://doi.org/10.1643/CE-13-003
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionCiting articles via
Investigating Ex Situ Competitive Interactions in a Novel Fish Community with Implications for the Introduction of Sunfish (Lepomis spp.) in Headwater Streams
Elizabeth Culp, Shawna Fix, Joshua Ennen, Jon Davenport, Kristen Cecala
Rapid Ossification Helps Explain Small Body Size in Urspelerpes brucei (Caudata: Plethodontidae)
Tyler L. Brock, Claire M. Crookston, Christopher K. Beachy, Carlos D. Camp
Image Processing of Thigh Color Pattern Is an Effective Method for Identifying Individual Cope’s Gray Treefrogs, Hyla chrysoscelis
Jacinda Berokoff, Iván de la Hera, Michael S. Reichert
Sexual Dimorphism in the Electric Knifefish Sternarchogiton labiatus (Gymnotiformes: Apteronotidae) with a Hypermorphic Snout and Oral Jaws
Maxwell J. Bernt, Aaron H. Fronk, Kory M. Evans, James S. Albert
Phylogenomics and Morphology of the African Fish Genus Brycinus with Revalidation of Brachyalestes and Description of a New Species from the Congo Basin (Teleostei: Alestidae)
Melanie L. J. Stiassny, Cooper Keane, José J. M. M. Mbimbi, Bruno F. Melo