Ovulated female salamander (Hynobius leechii) respond to water currents

Abstract

To determine whether or not the female Korean salamander, Hynobius leechii , responds to water currents and, if so, whether those responses depend on their reproductive conditions, we evaluated the responses of ovulated and ovipos- ited females to 1-Hz water currents generated by a model salamander with and without the placement of a transpar- ent water current blocker between the model and the test females. The ovulated females responded to water currents by turning their heads toward, approaching, and/or making physical contact with the model. When the water current blocker was in place, the number of salamanders that approached the model was reduced significantly. The approaching and touching responses of ovulated females were greater than those of oviposited females, whereas the other measure- ments evidenced no differences. None of the responses of the oviposited females to water currents was affected by the presence of the blocker. Our results indicate that female H. leechii responds to water currents via a mechanosensory system.