Sexual behavior newts

Verrell, P. A., 1982, The sexual behavior of the red-spotted newt, Notophthalmus viridescens (Amphibia Urodela Salamandridae),, 4nim. Behav. 30 1224-1236. 

Malacame, G., Giacoma, C., Velllano, C. and Mazzi, V. 1982. Prolactin and sexual behavior in the male crested newt Triturus cristatus carnifex Laur). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 47, 139—147. 

Moore, F.L. Miller, L.J. 1983. Arginine vasotocin induces sexual behavior of newts by acting on cells in the brain. Peptides, 4, 97-102. 

Toyoda, Ohmiya, Matsuda, Tanaka, Hayaski, 1995), and others to produce pheromones that enhance female sexual receptivity (Houck and Reagan, 1990 Houck, Bell, Reagan-Wallin Feldhoff, 1998). The present study, on the other hand, provides behavioral evidence that female roughskin newts (Taricha granulosa. Family Salamandridae) produce a pheromone that elicits a stereotypical courtship response in males (amplectic clasping). This chemical signal is used by males for sexual-discrimination of potential mates and possibly to assess female reproductive state as well. 

These experiments demonstrate that female roughskin newts produce a chemical sexual signal that is capable of stimulating amplectic clasping in males. This stereotypical courtship response to a chemical signal is unique in comparison with the behavioral responses to chemical signals that have been described in other urodele amphibians. Chemi-... 

Traditionally, pheromones have been defined as chemical substances released by one animal that affect a specific physiological and/or behavioral response in conspecifics. We have clearly shown the presence of a unique chemical signal in female roughskin newts that affects a very specific sexual response in males, and we therefore believe this signal represents a form of pheromonal communication. 

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