Avoidance of chemical alarm cues released from autotomized tails of ravinesalamanders (Plethodon richmondi)

The ability of animals to detect and avoid areas containing chemical alarm cues from conspecifics is well documented in aquatic species. The ability t o detect chemical alarm cues in terrestrial organisms has not been tested u ntil recently. In this study, we tested the ability of the ravine salamande r (Plethodon richmondi) to detect and avoid areas containing chemicals rele ased from the autotomized tails of conspecifics and sympatric zigzag salama nders (P. dorsalis). We also ascertained whether any avoidance response cou ld be attributed to the size or sex of the animal. Our results suggest that ravine salamanders avoid substrates containing odors released from the aut otomized tails of conspecifics, but not of heterospecific salamanders and t hat this response occurs independent of the size and/or sex of the animal. By avoiding areas where a conspecific has recently been injured, an organis m could reduce its chances of encountering a predator and thus increase its chances of survival.