Reproduction in West Virginia Populations of the Southern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigeral

Abstract.-We describe reproduction in West Virginia populations ofthe south-ern two-lined salamander (Ewycea cirrigera) and provide insights into the behavioral ecology of this wide-ranging urodele. The nrst signs of reproduction are evident well before the arrival of Spring. Sexually mature adults inhabit the cold, rocky streams of southwestern West Virginia in early February. Females arc known by the presence of large oocytes visible through the body wall and males by their extremely swollen heads. Breeding occurs in the stream during late March and is marked by the presence of gravid females with spenn caps in their posterior cloacae. Eggs are deposited from mid-March through early April on the underside of flat rocks in cool, shallow, and swiftly Ilowing streams. Females guard their nests against potential predators, including other two-lined salamanders. Hatchlings emerge as miniature adults with gills aner several months of development