Article Abstract:
Socioecological factors such as food level, relative body size, and the presence of partition influence kin discrimination and correlates of fitness in larvae of the marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum). Aggressive behavior is due to an interactive effect of kinship, food quantity, and relative size. Low food level reduces body size and delays metamorphosis, while the absence of a partition between individuals in a pair inhibits the growth of the smaller member and shortens the larval period.
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Article Abstract:
The study reveals that small larvae of marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum, are more susceptible to cannibalism by their bigger siblings than by non-siblings. The sibling cannibalism in experiment conditions does not seem to stem from size-selective foraging by the cannibal or variations among the sibships in the propensity for larvae to cannibalize siblings, the latter of which has been discovered in larval A. tigrinum. The results suggest preferential cannibalism of siblings.
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Article Abstract:
Co-existence of two species of pond-breeding salamanders depends on a trade-off in the competitive abilities of their larvae. Exploitative superiority of Ambystoma talpoideum in their foraging behavior is a major factor that inhibits growth of their competitors, the aggressive Ambystoma talpoideum. The larvae of Ambystoma maculatum are faster in detecting, pursuing and catching prey than the larvae of the other species.
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