Antipredator Behavior of Chinese Salamanders (Salamandridae)

Chinese salamanders of the Family Salamandridae have evolved a remarkable diversity of characteristics which protect them from predators.These characters are associated with the presence of powerful skin toxins.The distribution of antipredator mechanisms in the family is presented in Table 1,and photographs illustrate the antipredator behaviors.It is very important to use the established definitions and terms associated with the different antipredator behaviors.Most salamanders of the family Salamadridae exhibit bright ventral color patterns which serve to warn predators of the presence of distasteful skin secretions.Some species such as Cynops cyanura and Paramesotriton chinensis even roll onto their backs to exhibit the ventral coloration.