86 BERTRAM G. SMITH 



different females. The eggs were in different stages of develop- 

 ment, hence fertilized at different times. In two cases the num- 

 ber of eggs present in a single nest was sufficient to represent at 

 least three spawnings by different females. It is possible to deter- 

 mine this with considerable certainty, for the number of eggs 

 matured by a single female each season is limited, and these 

 are all laid at one time. Moreover it is known that the intensity 

 of the yellow color of the eggs is constant for all the eggs of a single 

 female, but varies considerably in eggs from different individuals. 

 In view of the observed vigilance and effectiveness of the male in 

 possession of the nest in driving away other males, it is highly 

 improbable that successive pairs of adults have occupied the nest; 

 hence the facts indicate that the same male has spawned with 

 successive females. 



The second hypothesis seems supported by better evidence than 

 the first; but while it is entirely possible that such may have been 

 the origin of the habit in the remote past, there is evidence that 

 at present the eggs are the object of paternal care from the time 

 of fertilization, and this brooding instinct is only temporarily 

 overcome by hunger or diverted by the breeding instinct. The 

 behavior of males breeding in aquaria strongly suggests this: 

 after fertilizing the eggs the male usually remains close beside 

 them or crawls under or amongst them. 



Concerning the brooding behavior of some specimens of Crypto- 

 branchus japonicus in captivity Kerbert ('04) says: 



Nach Beendigung der Eiablage legte sich das Weibchen offenbar in 

 grosstcr Ermattung in eine Ecke des Behalters hin und kiinmierte .sich 

 um das Gelege gar nicht mehr. Das Mannchen hingegen hat seitdem 

 die Eiermasse nicht verlassen- — ja sogar die Brut fortwdhrend bewacht. 

 Denn sobald das Weibchen die Eiermasse zu nahe 

 kam, stiirzte das Mannchen in sichtbarer Wut auf die Mutter los und 



vertrieb sie kriecht der Mannliche Riesensalamander 



zwischen den verschiedenen Strangen der Eiermasse hindurch und 

 blcibt dan von der Eiermasse umhullt liegen, oder er legt sich einfach 

 ncben die Eiermasse hin. In beidcn Fallen aber halt er, hauptsiichlich 

 durch eine pendelartige Bewegung des ganzcn Korpers, von Zeit zu Zeit 

 die ganze Eiermasse in Bewegung. Durch diese Bewegung cntsteht 

 eine fiir den Atmungsi)rozess der Eier und Embryonen hochst wichtige 

 Wasserstromung, wahrend die Lage der Eiermasse hierdurch gleich- 

 zeitig fortwahrend wechselt. 



