Tests for sexual isolation among sympatric salamanders of the genus Desmognathus

Abstract

Populations of the dusky salamanders Desmognathus ochrophaeus, D. imitator and D. santeetlah (Amphibia: Caudata: Plethodontidae) are sympatric at the locality of Indian Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains, E North America. Using intra- and interspecific courtship trials, sexual isolation is shown to be very strong between D. ochrophaeus and D. imitator. Sexual isolation was complete between D. ochrophaeus and D. santeetlah and between D. santeetlah and D. imitator. -from Author