The Biology of Plethodontid Salamanders

Offering a state-of-the-art overview of plethodontid salamanders, this text provides an understanding of many aspects of the evolution, systematics, development, morphology, life history, ecology, and field methodology of these animals. The book is divided into three sections. The first one features papers presented in honour of Richard Highton, a specialist in molecular systematics and speciation in plethodontids. This section, therefore, deals with amphibian systematics. The second section presents topics in evolutionary and comparative biology of plethodontids, and thus reflects the diversity of research on plethodontid salamanders. Finally, the third section presents topics in behavioural ecology of small Plethodon (mainly P. cinereus), illustrating the usefulness of the smaller species of Plethodon as model organisms for investigation of a wide range of questions in behavioural ecology.