ONTOGENY AND FEEDING ECOLOGY OF THE RED-BACKED SALAMANDER, PLETHODON-CINEREUS

I determined whether variation in diet related to variation in head an d/or body size and whether ontogenetic size change was associated with dietary shifts in the terrestrial red backed salamander, Plethodon ci nereus. No ontogenetic shift was found in the diet of P. cinereus, nor was there an apparent relationship between head size and prey size in larger salamanders. However, prey size was related to juvenile head s ize, indicating that overall body size constrains prey selection in sm all individuals. Juvenile P. cinereus have proportionally broader head s than adults, indicating an ontogenetic change in head shape. I hypot hesize that head shape is attained by a heterochronic change in develo pment that enables hatchlings to utilize a wide range of prey-i.e., br oad head shape in small salamanders is a mechanism for generalized fee ding. I also suggest that terrestrial salamanders may exhibit combinat ions of ontogenetic changes in head morphology and diet.