Analysis of Climatic Factors Influencing Migrations of the Salamander Ambystoma talpoideum

Migrations of breeding adult and metamorphosing juvenile mole salamanders, Ambystoma talpoideum, were studied in five populations in South Carolina from September 1978 through July 1982. Onset of breeding immigrations occurred as early as September but migrations ''en masse'' did not occur until November, December, or January. Time of peak migration varied annually depending upon meteorological conditions. Total number of breeding adults or breeding population size, was significantly correlated with cumulative rainfall during the time of immigration. Sex ratio of immigrating adults was significantly biased towards males at the beginning of the breeding season whereas by the end of the season it was biased towards females. During the very dry year of 1980 - 1981 water levels in two relatively permanent breeding sites were substantially metamorphosis and emigration of sexually mature gilled morphs. Statistical models which predict the magnitude of migrations indicated that rainfall, water level, and minimum air temperature were consistently important environmental variables.