Effect of Toxicity on Response to Predator Stimuli in Poison Dart Frogs

Presentation Type

Poster

Department

Biology

Major

Psychology and Biology

Abstract

Poison dart frogs, family Dendrobatidae, are known to differ in their levels of toxicity from one species to another; with Phyllobates terribilis known to be the most toxic of the dart frogs. The purpose of this study was to compare the escape behavior of P. terribilis to a less toxic but closely related species, Dendrobates tinctorious. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory setting with captive reared frogs of both species. The same researcher walked toward a stationary frog on the ground while holding a wooden snake model in front of him. As the researcher neared the frog, he knelt and approached the front of the frog with the snake model. We measured the distance the researcher was from the frog when it first moved. If the frog did not move when the snake model was 2 cm in front of it, we timed how long the frog remained stationary with a maximum time of 60 seconds. Significantly more D. tinctorious moved when approached by the researcher than did P. terribilis. In addition, 50% of the P. terribilis remained stationary for the maximum time even after the snake model was placed 2 cm in front of them. Our data suggest that escape behaviors correspond with the level of toxicity frogs are known to have in the wild. Absent or minimal escape behaviors may have conservation implications if P. terribilis are confronted by collectors in the wild wearing protective gear or other situations where their toxicity could be circumvented.

Faculty Mentor

Lee Kats, Gary Bucciarelli

Funding Source or Research Program

Not Identified

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Effect of Toxicity on Response to Predator Stimuli in Poison Dart Frogs

Poison dart frogs, family Dendrobatidae, are known to differ in their levels of toxicity from one species to another; with Phyllobates terribilis known to be the most toxic of the dart frogs. The purpose of this study was to compare the escape behavior of P. terribilis to a less toxic but closely related species, Dendrobates tinctorious. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory setting with captive reared frogs of both species. The same researcher walked toward a stationary frog on the ground while holding a wooden snake model in front of him. As the researcher neared the frog, he knelt and approached the front of the frog with the snake model. We measured the distance the researcher was from the frog when it first moved. If the frog did not move when the snake model was 2 cm in front of it, we timed how long the frog remained stationary with a maximum time of 60 seconds. Significantly more D. tinctorious moved when approached by the researcher than did P. terribilis. In addition, 50% of the P. terribilis remained stationary for the maximum time even after the snake model was placed 2 cm in front of them. Our data suggest that escape behaviors correspond with the level of toxicity frogs are known to have in the wild. Absent or minimal escape behaviors may have conservation implications if P. terribilis are confronted by collectors in the wild wearing protective gear or other situations where their toxicity could be circumvented.