Parental care in Salamandrina perspicillata (Amphibia, Salamandridae): Egg defence against caddisfly larvae

Vertebrates exhibit different degrees and modes of parental care. Among Amphibia, most families are known to perform some form of parental care, but parental care behaviours in Salamandridae (82 species) are extremely rare (only three species). We report an egg-guarding behaviour in the Italian endemic, Salamandrina perspicillata (a semi-terrestrial species with aquatic oviposition), against caddisfly larvae (Halesus appenninus). Egg guarding includes generation of water currents using the tail, and pushing, and shoving to drive the predator away from the egg clutch. Parental care in Salamandrina is considered as a facultative behavioural trait. © 2011 NwjZ, Oradea, Romania.