A Complex, Cross-Taxon, Chemical Releaser of Antipredator Behavior in Amphibians

Red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus, show avoidance of chemical cues from garter snakes only after recent predation events.

• Salamanders avoid rinses from garter snakes that have recently eaten them, indicating a specific late-night response.
• During the day and early evening, salamanders avoid rinses from garter snakes regardless of the snake's diet.
• The avoidance response does not necessitate injury or ingestion of the salamanders for the chemical cues to be formed.
• Only rinses from salamander-fed snakes triggered avoidance when compared to a water control.
• Combining chemical cues from both undisturbed or distressed salamanders and unfed or earthworm-fed snakes elicited avoidance.

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