Life history implications of the mothers’ choice: Niche choice and niche conformance in the fire salamander (A04)

• Subject Area: Sensory and Behavioural Biology ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 316099922

Project A04 will investigate niche choice and niche conformance in fire salamanders. Fire salamander females deposit their larvae into the water, which is either a pond or a first order stream. While females can choose the habitat for larval deposition, larvae have to conform to the habitat they were born in. Using a reciprocal transplant experiment, in which we transfer larvae from their natal habitat into the other habitat, we will investigate whether individuals differ in niche conformance and the factors that influence niche conformance. Furthermore, we will investigate how females choose the habitat for their larvae.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 212: A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC3)
• Applicant Institution: Universität Bielefeld
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Barbara Caspers