Biology of Plethodontid Salamanders

This volume offers a state-of-the-art overview of plethodontid salamanders. The reader will find the best current 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 honor 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 current research on plethodontid salamanders. Finally, the third section presents topics in behavioral 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 behavioral ecology. This is an important volume which conveys to readers the current status of research on plethodontids, and will stimulate interest of researchers in furthering investigation of the many unresolved questions pertaining to the biology of these animals.