Breeding Migrations, Population Size Structure, and 
Reproduction of the Dwarf Salamander, 
Eurycea quadridigitata, in South Carolina 
Raymond D. Semlitsch 
and 
Michael A. McMillan 
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, 
P.O. Drawer E., Aiken, South Carolina 29801 
ABSTRACT . — Life history parameters of Eurycea quadridigitata from 
two populations on the upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina were 
examined. Breeding migrations into Carolina bays occurred during Sep- 
tember and October in 1978 and July through October in 1979. The in- 
itiation of breeding migrations was associated with a drop in air tem- 
perature during late summer or early autumn. The sex ratio of E. 
quadridigitata entering the breeding sites was 1:1. Egg deposition 
probably occurs during November and early December. Sexual 
dimorphism in snout-vent lenth (SVL) was not present, but there was 
significant local variation in SVL of adults (x = 26 and 29 mm). The 
number of ovarian eggs was positively correlated with SVL and varied 
between populations (x = 21 and 33). 
INTRODUCTION 
Although the dwarf salamander, Eurycea quadridigitata, is a widely 
distributed species in the southeastern United States (Dunn 1926; Mit- 
tleman 1947), life history information in most parts of its range is based 
on anecdotal observations (Bishop 1947; Dunn 1926; Neill 1949; Noble 
1927). Sever (1975), in a more complete report, described seasonal varia- 
tion of the nasolabial glands and included data on the male reproductive 
cycle. Harrison (1973) and Semlitsch (in press) provided ecological infor- 
mation on habitat, and reproductive and larval characteristics. Tax- 
onomic accounts, distributional records, and other pertinent literature on 
the species were reviewed by Mittlefnan (1967). 
As previously shown, the drift fence and pitfall trap technique 
provides an ideal sampling method for monitoring populations of 
fossorial amphibians (Gibbons and Bennett 1974; Gill 1978; Shoop 
1965). Since lack of an adequate sampling technique has hindered the 
study of E. quadridigitata, this study was initiated to provide 
quanititative information on life history parameters of dwarf salamander 
populations from the upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. 
Brimleyana No. 3: 97-105 July 1980. 
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