Meeting Abstract
P1.22 Saturday, Jan. 4 15:30 The importance of local adaptation and environmental influences on foraging behaviors in the wood frog (Rana sylvatica) UNKEFER, MK*; HOLSCLAW, J; HALL, E; PETERSON, J; CRESPI, E; Washingotn State University; Washington State University; Washington State University; Washington State University; Washington State University maggie.unkefer@wsu.edu
Success in obtaining food is a factor in any animal’s survival and fitness, and behavioral syndromes related to food intake may predict an animal’s success in an environment. Using wood frogs (Rana sylvatica), we conducted an experiment to test whether behavioral syndromes related to foraging behavior are intrinsic to populations or are mediated by environmental conditions experienced as tadpoles, and whether composite behavioral phenotypes correlate with unique neuroendocrine profiles. We collected wood frog eggs from multiple populations, and raised tadpoles to metamorphosis at high and low densities in laboratory mesocosms; after metamorphosis frogs were housed individually in standardized conditions. At approximately 12 weeks after metamorphosis, a subset of frogs from each population were placed in an open field container with crickets, and 10 behaviors, such as hopping, orienting, and numbers of strikes, were recorded for 15 minutes. Hierarchical cluster analysis resolved two behavioral phenotypes characterized as frogs that 1) stay in one place and strike often at passing prey with moderate accuracy, or 2) pursue prey and make fewer strikes with high accuracy. Low density control animals from geographically similar populations often clustered in similar behavioral groups, indicating potential for behavioral syndromes adapted to local conditions. However, animals that developed in high-density mesocosms did not cluster with their source populations, suggesting possible environmental mediation of feeding behaviors. To characterize the neuroendocrine profiles of each of these behavioral phenotypes, we are currently measuring circulating corticosterone levels and mRNA levels of neuropeptides associated with foraging behavior.
