UVB Avoidance in Juvenile Dendrobates azereus

Presentation Type

Poster

Keywords

Amphibians, Ecology, Behavior, UVB

Department

Biology

Major

Biology

Abstract

Amphibians are harmed by UV rays, as they have a thin that makes them susceptible to cancers. However, most amphibians combat this by being nocturnal, except dart frogs which are an exclusively diurnal species. Previous studies have shown that both the larval and adult stages of Dendrobates azureusavoid UV light far more than species of nocturnal frogs. The goal of this experiment was to see if the juvenile frogs of D. azereuswould distinguish between UV light and visible light, and avoid UV light more than a nocturnal frog species (Pseudacris regilla). The two species of juvenile frogs were kept individually in 10 gallon glass aquariums half covered with a UV eliminating Mylar sheet and were exposed to two lighting conditions, UV light and visible light. Each trial lasted 15 minutes and the amount of time the frog spent exposing itself to the lighting condition as well as behavior displays were recorded every minute. The results showed that both species of frogs exposed themselves less to UV light as time went on and exposed them selves more to visible light as time went on. The data also showed the D.azureusexposed its self significantly less to the UV light than P. regilla. In conclusion, the experiment showed that juvenile frogs can distinguish and react differently to UV light, and that juvenile dart frogs avoid UV light more than a nocturnal frog species.

Faculty Mentor

Lee Kats

Funding Source or Research Program

Not Identified

Location

Waves Cafeteria

Start Date

29-3-2019 2:00 PM

End Date

29-3-2019 3:00 PM

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Mar 29th, 2:00 PM Mar 29th, 3:00 PM

UVB Avoidance in Juvenile Dendrobates azereus

Waves Cafeteria

Amphibians are harmed by UV rays, as they have a thin that makes them susceptible to cancers. However, most amphibians combat this by being nocturnal, except dart frogs which are an exclusively diurnal species. Previous studies have shown that both the larval and adult stages of Dendrobates azureusavoid UV light far more than species of nocturnal frogs. The goal of this experiment was to see if the juvenile frogs of D. azereuswould distinguish between UV light and visible light, and avoid UV light more than a nocturnal frog species (Pseudacris regilla). The two species of juvenile frogs were kept individually in 10 gallon glass aquariums half covered with a UV eliminating Mylar sheet and were exposed to two lighting conditions, UV light and visible light. Each trial lasted 15 minutes and the amount of time the frog spent exposing itself to the lighting condition as well as behavior displays were recorded every minute. The results showed that both species of frogs exposed themselves less to UV light as time went on and exposed them selves more to visible light as time went on. The data also showed the D.azureusexposed its self significantly less to the UV light than P. regilla. In conclusion, the experiment showed that juvenile frogs can distinguish and react differently to UV light, and that juvenile dart frogs avoid UV light more than a nocturnal frog species.