The Relationship between Female Body Size and Clutch Size in Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders (Ambystoma cingulatum)

Abstract

Abstract - Modeling population dynamics in response to various threats or potential management actions has become an increasingly common aspect of conservation programs for imperiled species. However, these models typically require a detailed understanding of various demographic processes that are often challenging to quantitatively assess. We combined data from the published literature (n = 4) with data collected from preserved specimens (n = 6) to model the relationship between female body size and clutch size in Ambystoma cingulatum (Frosted Flatwoods Salamander). We found a positive effect of body size on clutch size (z-score = 9.4, P < 0.001). This relationship can now be incorporated into ongoing efforts to model the population dynamics of flatwoods salamanders, reducing uncertainty and improving stakeholders' ability to make management decisions for this imperiled species.