Yonahlossee Salamander - Behavior and Ecology

Behavior and Ecology

Little is known about the reproduction habits of this species. Reproduction does take place terrestrially and eggs are deposited in underground cavities where scientists assume that like other members of the genus the female guards the eggs until they hatch. Spermatogenesis most likely occurs after the emergence from hibernation. It is assumed that courtship occurs in early August as this is the time pairs of salamanders have been found under a single cover object and males have noticeably enlarged mental glands. Females then lay their eggs in late August or early September. Clutch size is dependent on the size of the female, but typically ranges from 19 to 27.

Sexual maturity is thought to be approximately three years of age. Also, a definitive feature of maturity is the length of the mental glands which in males is approximately 56 millimeters whereas in females it is more like 60 to 66 millimeters depending again on the size of the female.

Both adults and juveniles emerge at night to forage. Juveniles have been found to be most active one hour after sunset where adults peak one to two hours later. Each stage is carnivorous and eats small insects and invertebrates including mites, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, and earthworms. Predators are thought to include snakes, birds, and small mammals. To escape predation Plethodon yonahlossee produces secretions from the tail that is noxious to birds and other mammals. Also after initial contact they become immobile making them harder to detect which may increase survival with visual predators.

In laboratory settings Yonahlossee salamanders demonstrated aggressive defense of their territories. Like most species in the genus they exhibit vertical underground migration and move underground during the cold winter months.