Larval Development of Black-Bellied Salamanders, Desmognathus Quadramaculatus, in Northeastern Georgia

Larval development was studied in Desmognathus quadramaculatus from May 1987 through December 1988 at the southernmost extent of its natural range in Habersham County, Georgia. Large monthly samples were collected from tributaries of Nancy Town Creek, elevation approximately 300 m. Data on growth from the frequency distribution of snout-vent lengths (SVL) indicated that three larval size classes were present. Hatchling larvae appeared in the population in July of both years. Metamorphosing individuals were found in May and June of both years, indicating a larval period of 34-35 mo. Hatchlings from each year had a mean SVL of 16 mm whereas metamorphosing individuals had mean SVLs of 40 and 43 mm for 1987 and 1988, respectively. Information on larvae from a higher elevation (830 m) in Union County, Georgia, indicated the probable predominance of a 4-yr larval period with a much larger mean SVL (54 mm) at metamorphosis. The total range of variation in larval period and size at metamorphosis among populations of this species indicates that factors other than temperature affect larval life history patterns. Previous reports have shown that resource availability is a major factor determining interpopulation variation, although genetic effects cannot be ruled out.