Male-Female Pairing in Green Salamanders, Aneides aeneus

Formation of male-female pairs leading to mating in Aneides aeneus may occur during spring and fall. Pairs occur in specific rock crevices for 1-4 weeks during which bonding occurs. Pairs may be divided into two categories: male-female pairs that occur in single crevices or pairs that occur in adjacent crevices. Also, pairs may occur in adjacent crevices for extended periods. Of 136 cases in which females with young were monitored, 48% were preceded by M-F pairs within single crevices. Also, 22% had males and females in adjacent crevices in which males were in association with the female for 1-4 weeks similar to pairs within crevices. Males often remained nearby before and after egg deposition. Also, 28% of brooding females appeared in crevices that previously contained males but pairing was not observed. Gravid females were present for a few days or weeks prior to egg deposition and remained in these crevices throughout the brooding period. In 10% of cases, males were never observed prior to arrival of gravid females. A high percentage of females brooding young was preceded by pairing of males and females in close association, whether in single crevices or adjacent crevices. Thus, many A. aeneus return to the same rock crevices in subsequent years. By returning to these breeding crevices, males and females have a greater chance of successfully producing young over several years. Pairing within rock crevices or in adjacent crevices allows for mate guarding by males