. The Canadian field-naturalist. 1971 Notes 329. Figure 1. Defensive attitude of Ambystoma tigri- num (from color transparency). its head, nose downward (Fig. 1). It then slowly brought the tail and head around to the side, its body and tail forming a circle. This type of be- havior was observed each time a salamander was approached during the remainder of the morn- ing (20 collected, numerous others seen). Adults and recently-transformed individuals (gills and gill stubs present) alike acted in this manner. The head and tail were consistently directed away from the observer. White secretion w
. The Canadian field-naturalist. 1971 Notes 329. Figure 1. Defensive attitude of Ambystoma tigri- num (from color transparency). its head, nose downward (Fig. 1). It then slowly brought the tail and head around to the side, its body and tail forming a circle. This type of be- havior was observed each time a salamander was approached during the remainder of the morn- ing (20 collected, numerous others seen). Adults and recently-transformed individuals (gills and gill stubs present) alike acted in this manner. The head and tail were consistently directed away from the observer. White secretion was seen along the dorsal ridge of the tail on some salamanders. If no further stimulus was given, the position was maintained for less than V2 minute. The salamander then relaxed the posture, and would begin to crawl away. The behavior could be in- duced a second and even a third time, but each time with less intense reaction. Touching the animal would cause it to react more strongly. No animal was induced to respond in this manner more than a half-dozen times. This apparent aposematic behavior thus seems to have a visual as well as a tactile releaser under certain conditions. The reaction was never noticed during darkness, but was seen consistently during daylight hours; other conditions were essentially the same. Cloacal temperatures (Schultheis small-bulb thermometer) of 5 Ambystoirm tigrinum averaged °C (°°). Other species noted on the road were Rana pipiens (small and adult), Bufo cognatus (small), B. hemiophrys, (small), and Thainnophis radix. All but Thainnophis were common. Literature Cited Carpenter, C. C. 1955. Aposematic behavior in the salamander Amby stoma tigrinum melanostictum, Copeia 1955: 311-312. R. Earl Olson Centennial Museum, Vancouver 9, British Columbia. Present address: Department of Biology University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado Received May 21, 1971 Accepted August 4, 1971 First Canadian Specimen of New Zealand Shearwater Along the Pa
Size: 1740px × 1435px
Photo credit: © Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorottawafieldnaturalistsclub, bookcentury1900, bookcolle
