Courtship Behavior of the Western Red-Backed Salamander

Abstract

The courtship behavior of the western redbacked salamander (Plethodon vehiculum) has not been described, but Petranka (1998) suggested that it includes a tail-straddling walk typical of other plethodontid salamanders. Here, we provide the 1st descriptions of courtship of this species in nature, augmented by observations in laboratory enclosures. Our 1st field observation occurred at 2158 hr on 24 September 1998, when one of us (LLCJ) observed courtship near an unnamed tributary of Matheny Creek in Jefferson County, Washington, about 17 km NW of Quinault. Two R vehiculum were atop a large (diameter >50 cm), well-decayed, moss-covered log, 2 m upslope of the stream. When first sighted, a large individual (presumably female) was straddling the tail of a smaller male (presumably). The salamanders were axially aligned and facing the same direction, with the female's head about 1 cm behind the male's hind legs. Periodically, the male's tail swayed several mm both vertically and horizontally. The pair progressed slowly forward for about 0.5 m. At 2207 hr the pair crawled off the log and disappeared into woody debris and forest-floor vegetation. The observation was made on the 2nd rainy night following an exceptionally dry summer. Air temperature at 2000 hr was 160C. Two other R vehiculum and 1