Observations on the Life History, Ecology and Distribution of Desmognathus aeneus aeneus Brown and Bishop

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Abstract
Desmognathus aeneus aeneus usually oviposits in late April or early May. Eggs are deposited an-nually and all eggs ready for deposition are apparently laid. A rough correlation exists between body size and number of eggs produced, but no geographical variation in egg production is apparent. Hatching occurs during late spring and summer, occasionally earlier. Incubation periods for laboratory eggs varied from 34 to 45 days. Larval morphology and behavior are similar to that described for D. a. chermockl. Hatchlings emerge from the egg in a "semi-metamorphosed" state; there is no aquatic larval stage. Gills are present in larvae, but quickly become reduced in size. Newly hatched larvae average about 7 mm in snout-vent length, and resemble subadults or adults in general body pattern. Both sexes mature at snout-vent lengths of 18-19 mm and a probable age of 2 years. Specimens are known from elevations varying from 550 to between 900 and 1375 m. Populations appear to be highly localized and disjunct. Except for ovipositing or brooding females, individuals are most often encountered beneath leaf litter in the general vicinity of seepages or small streams in hardwood or mixed forests. New locality records of interest include Polk Co., Tennessee, and Graham Co., North Carolina.