Anthony / Hickerson Lab
We are interested in how polymorphic species respond to divergent selection. We have used the Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus), a species that is polymorphic for color, to explore differences in behavior between color morphs. Our findings suggest that the morphs differ in ways that may increase the likelihood of color assortative mating, an important step in the process of divergence.
Selected publications - polymorphism
Hantak, M.M., K.A. Brooks, C.M. Hickerson, C.D. Anthony, and S.R. Kuchta. 2020. A spatiotemporal assessment of dietary partitioning between color morphs of a terrestrial salamander. Copeia 108:727-736.
Hankak, M.M., R.B. Page, P.E. Converse, C.D. Anthony, C.M. Hickerson, and S.R. Kuchta. 2019. Do genetic structure and landscape heterogeneity impact color morph frequency in a polymorphic salamander? Ecography 42:1-12. DOI: 10.1111/ecog.04534
Waldron, B.P., S.R. Kuchta, M.M. Hantak, C.M. Hickerson, and C.D. Anthony. 2019. Genetic analysis of a cryptic contact zone between mitochondrial clades of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus. Journal of Herpetology 53:144-152.
Jaworski, K.E., M.S. Lattanzio, C.M. Hickerson, and C.D. Anthony. 2018. Male mate preference as an agent of fecundity in a polymorphic salamander. Ecology and Evolution 8:8750-8760. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4298
Anthony, C.D., K. Jaworski, M. Messner, and C.M. Hickerson. 2017. Differences in prey availability within the territories of striped and unstriped Eastern Red-backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus). Herpetological Review 48:509-514.
Stuczka, A., C. Hickerson, and C. Anthony. 2016. Niche partitioning along the diet axis in a colour polymorphic population of Eastern Red-backed Salamanders, Plethodon cinereus. Amphibia-Reptilia 37:283-290.
Paluh, D.J., C. Eddy, K. Ivanov, C.M. Hickerson, and C.D. Anthony. 2015. Selective foraging on ants by a terrestrial polymorphic salamander. American Midland Naturalist 174:265-277.
Venesky, M.D., A. Hess, J.A. DeMarchi, A. Weil, J. Munroe, C.M. Hickerson, and C.D. Anthony. 2015. Morph specific differences in disease prevalence and pathogen-induced mortality in a terrestrial polymorphic salamander. Journal of Zoology 295:279-285.
Reiter, M.K., C.D. Anthony, and C.M. Hickerson. 2014. Territorial behavior and ecological divergence in a polymorphic salamander. Copeia 2014(3):481-488.
Acord, M.E., C.D. Anthony, and C.M.Hickerson. 2013. Assortative mating in a polymorphic salamander. Copeia 2013(4):676-683.
Anthony, C.D., Venesky, M.D., and C.M. Hickerson. 2008. Ecological separation in a polymorphic terrestrial salamander. Journal of Animal Ecology 77:646-653.
Venesky, M.D. and C.D. Anthony. 2007. Antipredator adaptations and predator avoidance for two color morphs of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus. Herpetologica 63:450-458.
