Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Publication Date

Spring 2024

College

Sciences and Mathematics, College of

Department

Biology, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Chase Kinsey

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Visual stimulus is one of the primary methods of prey recognition and capture in most vertebrate organisms, including anurans. The African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis, is particularly unique in that it can also orient itself to food using a lateral line system. How much of this visual acuity during prey capture is driven by the lateral line system is unknown. Additionally, X. laevis can produce albino morphs characterized by a lack of melanin, which may hinder the ability to locate food. This study compares the foraging efficacy between albino and wild type Xenopus laevis across changes in light exposure. We hypothesized that darkened condition and the presence of albinism in frogs leads to worse foraging in X. laevis. Live infrared cameras were used to monitor foraging behavior in both well-lit and dark environments. Timestamps of captured food were recorded and analyzed through a Paired T-Test and compared to ‘Light’ and ‘Night’ conditions. We fail to reject our hypothesis, suggesting the lateral line system does not play a large role in food capture. Two Independent T-Tests were conducted to compare how frogs with albinism hunt in contrast to normal frogs during ‘Light’ and ‘Night’ conditions. ‘Light’ and ‘Night’ exposures indicated no significant differences between the albino and normal frogs during hunting. We reject our hypothesis, suggesting that albinism does not lead to worse foraging behavior in frogs. Data from this study provides insight into the foraging behavior of Xenopus laevis and how the invasive frog might outcompete other frog species for food.

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