Behavioral Responses of Two Common Woodland Salamanders to Novel Urban Stimuli

ABSTRACT Human‐modified landscapes introduce novel and challenging environments that can drive rapid shifts in species behavior. Woodland salamanders (genus Plethodon ) represent a key group to investigate the effects of human disturbance as they play critical roles in forest ecosystem function yet are highly sensitive to environmental change. Here, we examined behavioral responses of two closely related species, the Eastern Red‐Backed Salamander ( Plethodon cinereus ) and the Northern Ravine Salamander ( Plethodon electromorphus ), to urban environmental features. Specifically, we tested salamander boldness toward concrete substrates (mimicking roads and walkways) and neophobic responses to common anthropogenic litter items that can be found in forest patches near urban areas. We predicted both species would avoid these novel features, but that P. cinereus would be more bold given its previously documented territorial and aggressive tendencies. We quantified three exploratory behaviors: time spent moving in the open, hiding, and thigmotaxis (wall‐hugging behavior) but found evidence that only P. electromorphus increased thigmotaxis on the novel substrate. Both species exhibited neophobic responses to anthropogenic litter objects. Our results suggest that these novel urban features can alter the typical behaviors of these common salamander species. Future work should assess whether such avoidance behaviors reduce opportunities for dispersal, foraging, or mating, which may influence population persistence in urbanized landscapes.