Plethodon cinereus environment

Johnson MS et al., Toxicological responses of red-backed salamanders Plethodon cinereus) to subchronic soil exposures of 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Environ. Pollut. 147, 604, 2007. 

Johnson MS et al., Toxicologic and histologic response of the terrestrial salamander Plethodon cinereus to soil exposures of l,3,5-trinitrohexahydro-l,3,5-triazine, Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 47, 496, 2004. 

Note that these life history tactics are typical of a so-called K-selected species (Pianka, 1970) extended age to maturity, iteroparity with a small clutch size, parental (maternal, in this case) care, and a relatively long life. If one agrees with the principles of r- and K-selection theory, then one might suspect that Plethodon cinereus inhabits a highly competitive environment. This, indeed, is true. 

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