| 1987 Journal of Herpetology 21:298-306 |
| Courtship Behavior of a Plethodontid Salamander, Desmognathus wrighti |
| Lynne D. Houck |
| Department of Biology,
University of Chicago, 940 E. 57th Street, Chicago,
Illinois 60637, USA |
| Abstract This experiment showed that the courtship behavior of Desmognathus aeneus includes a prolonged biting phase, during which the male bites the female tenaciously. This unusual behavior has been described in only one other plethodontid, Desmognathus wrighti. In most other respects, the courtship behavior of D. aeneus is similar to that of its congeners. Morphological characters associated with biting, as well as the functional and evolutionary significance of biting, are evaluated. |