DIFFERENCES IN VARIATION IN EGG SIZE FOR SEVERAL SPECIES OF SALAMANDERS (AMPHIBIA, CAUDATA) THAT USE DIFFERENT LARVAL ENVIRONMENTS

Comparative descriptive data are provided on variation of egg size in five species of salamanders. The species differ in their use of larval habitats. Ambystoma maculatum uses temporary, rain-filled pools in th e southern Appalachian Mountains. Desmognathus aeneus is a direct deve loper and is not constrained by risk of larval desiccation. The remain ing three species, Eurycea wilderae, D. ochrophaeus, and D. santeetlah , have permanent streams as their larval environment. Using the coeffi cient of variation (CV), I document both variation within individual c lutches and variation at the interclutch level. The degree of variatio n differs among individual clutches and among species. Variation at th e intraclutch level does not agree with that predicted. However, varia tion at the interclutch level conforms to the prediction that A. macul atum (which utilizes ephemeral larval environments) exhibits the highe st degree of variation in egg size.