Limited population and community effects of hatching asynchrony in a pond‐breeding salamander

Abstract Understanding attributes of phenology beyond the mean date a life history event, such as variability among individuals within population, is critical to predict how climate‐induced phenological shifts may alter population dynamics. Identifying impacts organisms especially needed better understand affect trophic dynamics (e.g., in top predators affecting primary production). To effects on both populations and communities, we examined variation egg hatching synchrony predatory marbled salamanders ( Ambystoma opacum ) impacted intraspecific interactions at larval stage, ultimately demographic traits survival through metamorphosis. We also affected overall consumers producers) pond food webs. experimentally manipulated degree embryonic A. subsequently reared larvae outdoor mesocosms. monitored growth, size time metamorphosis, survival. assess dynamics, zooplankton abundance phytoplankton biomass during experiment. Larvae exhibited greater body medium low treatments compared high treatments. Larval diminished over result no differences most metamorphosis or found biomass, likely because minimal that would induce top‐down changes. Overall, be context dependent its influence demography community structure. Because concerns for will species interactions, scrutiny into conditions promote changes needed.