The emigration of radio-implanted spotted salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum

Radiotelemetry and implant procedures were validated and used to examine the occurrence and variability of emigration and terrestrial refuge use between breeding periods in Ambystoma maculatum. Studies of feeding and weight change showed no long term effects of the implant procedure, and the survival of implanted salamanders in the field was similar to that in natural populations. Emigration was facultative and occurred during the spring, fall, was split between spring and fall, or it did not occur. The inhibition of emigratory behavior during the summer caused a conspicuous seasonal bimodality in movement that was hypothesized to be a consequence of increased predator activity from late spring through early fall. Small mammal burrows were used almost exclusively as terrestrial refuges, and those of Blarina brevicauda were used the most, especially between spring and fall. Deeper, Peromyscus-type burrows were commonly used during winter. An early spring snowstorm revealed that occupying small mammal burrows was extremely important to survival. It is hypothesized that A. maculatum through a special association with Blarina brevicauda, is able to readily access the protective leaf litter runways.