The sexual behaviour of the red-spotted newt, Notophthalmus viridescens (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae)

✍ Scribed by Paul Verrell

• Book ID: 117029502
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1982
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 984 KB
• Volume: 30
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0003-3472
• DOI: 10.1016/s0003-3472(82)80215-7

✦ Synopsis

The sexual behaviour of the red-spotted newt, No~ophthalmus viridescens, is described. The male can adopt one of two types of behaviour depending on the initial responsiveness of the female. If she is responsive, the male performs a brief lateral (or hula) display, at the end of which one or more spermatophores may be deposited. If she is unresponsive, tile male captures the female and a lengthy period of amplexus ensues, followed by spermatophore transfer behaviour. Spermatophore transfer is most Successful after amplexus, and a preliminary cost-benefit analysis of the two types of courtship is given. The behaviour is discussed in the context of other urodele amphibians, and in the wider context of male reproductive strategies.