Individual fluctuations in toxin levels affect breeding site fidelity in a chemically defended amphibian.

ABSTRACT: Behaviours that influence habitat selection strongly determine species movement patterns. One component of animal behaviour that largely influences movement patterns and habitat choice is site fidelity. California newts (family Salamandridae) demonstrate remarkable site fidelity, typically homing to the same pool of a stream each breeding season. Individuals often occupy a specific pool throughout the breeding season, but some males shift among breeding pools, altering their set of potential mates, competitors, and predators. In this study, we measured dermal concentrations of the chemical defence compound tetrodotoxin (TTX) in recaptured male California newts (Taricha torosa) over five breeding seasons to evaluate whether relative TTX concentrations are associated with breeding site fidel

SUBMITTER: Bucciarelli GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4892799 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature