An Analysis of the Feeding Ecology of the Salamanders (Amphibia, Urodela) of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire

The gut contents of 486 salamanders representing all five species (Plethodon cinereus, Desmognathus fuscus, Eurycea bislineata, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, and Notophthalmus viridescens) occurring in the northern hardwoods forest of central New Hampshire were analyzed. These data show that there is broad niche overlap in the feeding ecology of the five species but spatial (habitat) separation, and gradients in size of adult salamanders effectively reduce competition for food resources. The food habits of all five species in the forest are described in detail. Generally, all five species are euryphagic predators and feed on any food they can capture in the proper size category.