Red Salamander - Ecology

Ecology

Some important aquatic and terrestrial ecological aspects of Pseudotriton ruber include its diet, predators, and microhabitat preferences. Pseudotriton ruber larvae mainly feed on invertebrates such as insect larvae and worms (Bishop 1941). Larval growth rates differ depending on the temperature of the water (Petranka 1998) and tend to be higher be higher in the warmer months when water temperature is higher (Bruce 1972). The Red Salamander generally lays eggs in the fall and then the hatching season takes place in the late fall and winter months(Bruce 1972). The larval period varies between 27–31 months and then metamorphosis takes place in the spring and early summer of the third year (Bruce 1972). Cecala et al. ultimately found that larval Red Salamanders are generalists, eating whatever is available (2007). They also found that feeding rates typically increase when water temperature is low and that larger individuals feed more than smaller individuals (Cecala et al. 2007). Although feeding rates appear to increase with increasing size, mortality rates on the other hand seem to be independent of size or age and survivorship is estimated to be about 50% per year (Bruce 1972). The longer larval period ensures that transformation occurs when the salamanders are much larger than other species of salamanders and typically have a short juvenile period, maturing quickly (Petranka 1998). Males mature at about 53–63 mm (2.1–2.5 in), typically at 4 years of age, and females mature at about 55–68 mm (2.2–2.7 in), typically at about 5 years of age (Petranka 1998).

Red Salamanders generally live in springs or streams during the winter and then disperse to and from these sites in the fall and spring (Bruce 1978). Due to its semiaquatic nature, the Red Salamander remains in terrestrial environments until early spring then disperse to more aquatic sites (Petranka 1998). Adult Pseudotriton ruber often lives in burrows along streams and in other moist environments such as under logs and rocks along the forest floor (Bishop 1941). Adult Red Salamanders like larval Red Salamanders are generalists and tend to feed on invertebrates as well as small amphibians (Bishop 1941). Predators of the Red Salamander include birds and small carnivores such as skunks and raccoons (Petranka 1998). Since the Red Salamander is a larger species of salamander, its presence or absence can greatly affect the ecosystem that it lives in and understanding its ecology is important in order to understand its role in community structure.