Prolactin-based "Water-drive Theory" in Migratory Salamanders: Some Disprovable Data

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Prolactin induces water-drive behavior in migratory salamanders (prolactin-based water-drive theory). This theory can explain neither fall immigration toward terrestrial hibernacula unrelated to mating nor breeding immigration toward dry pond basins and toward terrestrial nest-sites adjacent to the water. Mucus secreted from dermal mucous glands, a target organ for prolactin, is absent on the skin of both fall-nonbreeding and spring-breeding immigrants. Such ecological and physiological examples against the prolactin-based water-drive theory suggest that it is necessary to determine plasma prolactin concentrations in salamanders just before entering the water.