Reproductive Cycle, Growth, and Maturation of Northern Female Desmognathus ochrophaeus

Abstract

The reproductive cycle, growth rate, and size and age at maturity are described for female Desmognathus ochrophaeus from near the northwestern border of its geographic range, and these life history characteristics are compared with studies of D. ochrophaeus from the southern Appalachian Mountains. Some females oviposit and brood eggs prior to emergence from overwintering refugia while others oviposit and brood eggs later in the spring or early summer. Field observations indicate that some females oviposit in August with larvae hatching in September and October. The smallest juvenile size class averaged about 10 mm SVL in May and grew 7-9 mm SVL per year over the next three years. Females begin yolking their first clutch at 27-30 mm SVL when they are approximately 36 months old but do not deposit this clutch until they are 30-34 mm SVL. Ovarian follicles reach a maximum size between 2.50 and 3.00 mm diameter. Females of intermediate body size (34-40 mm SVL) may have more rapid follicle growth and larger maximum follicle size than smaller and larger females. Female D. ochrophaeus in the northwestern portion of its geographic range is similar in the characteristics examined to the rockface populations of the southern Appalachian Mountains.