A test of the effect of ultraviolet-B radiation on behavior in the poison dart frog, Dendrobates tinctorius, during the larval stages
Presentation Type
Poster
Major
Biology
Abstract
Exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation can harm and negatively affect amphibians and as a result many species of anurans, including dendrobatids, tend to avoid extended periods of exposure in their terrestrial stages. In this experiment, we observed the responses of larval Dendrobates tinctorius to ultraviolet-B radiation. We hypothesized that avoidance behavior would be present when a tadpole was exposed to direct ultraviolet-B radiation. Frog larvae were exposed to visible light, UV light and control conditions. We monitored the percent of time larvae spent in shelter. The duration the larvae were out of a shelter and in direct exposure was recorded. Our data suggest that dendrobatids in their larval stages of development do not tend to avoid ultraviolet radiation in a laboratory experiment. (P > 0.05). Dose of UV radiation may have been too small to elicit a response or water may have served as a UV filter. Future experiments will examine similar responses to UV in newly metamorphosed frogs.
Faculty Mentor
Lee Kats
Funding Source or Research Program
Not Identified
Location
Waves Cafeteria, Tyler Campus Center
Start Date
21-3-2014 2:00 PM
End Date
21-3-2014 3:00 PM
A test of the effect of ultraviolet-B radiation on behavior in the poison dart frog, Dendrobates tinctorius, during the larval stages
Waves Cafeteria, Tyler Campus Center
Exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation can harm and negatively affect amphibians and as a result many species of anurans, including dendrobatids, tend to avoid extended periods of exposure in their terrestrial stages. In this experiment, we observed the responses of larval Dendrobates tinctorius to ultraviolet-B radiation. We hypothesized that avoidance behavior would be present when a tadpole was exposed to direct ultraviolet-B radiation. Frog larvae were exposed to visible light, UV light and control conditions. We monitored the percent of time larvae spent in shelter. The duration the larvae were out of a shelter and in direct exposure was recorded. Our data suggest that dendrobatids in their larval stages of development do not tend to avoid ultraviolet radiation in a laboratory experiment. (P > 0.05). Dose of UV radiation may have been too small to elicit a response or water may have served as a UV filter. Future experiments will examine similar responses to UV in newly metamorphosed frogs.