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    Session 12: Herpetology Behavior II

    Room: Room 206D

    2022-07-28   15:30 - 16:45

    Moderator: Daniel Warner



    1.  15:30  Carry-Over and Cumulative Effects of Opioid Exposure in European Common Frogs (Rana temporaria). Tiffany Garcia*, Oregon State University; Evan Bredeweg, Oregon State University; Tomas Brodin, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences   tiffany.garcia@oregonstate.edu

    Early-life exposure to environmental stressors can affect individuals across ontogeny, particularly in species with multiple life stages. Many species carry over information gained in these early life history stages regarding predators, climate, and contaminants, which can influence adult behavior and development. Carry-over effects can compound with direct stressors, both natural and anthropogenic, in additive or synergistic ways. We found that larval European Common frogs (Rana temporaria) exposed to tramadol, an opioid contaminant in freshwater systems, accumulated the drug in their tissues at ratios consistent with exposure concentrations. We found no direct effects on the larval stage. Carry-effects, however, were detected in metamorphs exposed to high levels of tramadol as larvae and highly competitive environments as a metamorph. Competition levels were consistent across treatments during the larval stages, with larvae held in groups of 5 individuals. These groups were maintained over ontogeny as metamorphosed individuals were transferred to terrariums. As such, metamorphic competition depended the order of emergence within groups. This priority effect was found to compound with tramadol exposure rates in interesting ways. We assayed 2-wk old metamorphs for behavioral response to novel objects using a flight initiation test. We found late-emerging individuals exhibited significantly higher degrees of boldness to a novel object. This delay in flight response, however, was only found in individuals exposed to high levels of tramadol during the previous life stage. Carry-over effects of tramadol in this multiple stressor framework highlights the need for ecology-based studies over an individual’s lifetime and in naturally relevant scenarios.


    2.  15:45  Ethogram of captive Chinese water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus). Karl Guyton II*, Howard University; George Middendorf, Howard University   afrosuchia@gmail.com

    Ethograms are a valuable tool used to describe and define different behaviors. Lizards are often used as model organisms for behavioral studies. While the behavioral repertoires of several agamid species are well documented, others, such as the Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) remain relatively understudied. Here I provide the first ethogram for the Chinese water dragon by examining the social interactions of six adult individuals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. Physignathus cocincinus exhibited various postural and interaction displays and demonstrated intersexual variation in postural display utilization, with males primarily performing head-bobbing displays while females primarily performed forearm displays. Display types and frequencies were context-dependent and were also affected by social hierarchies. Comparison of the behavioral repertoire of P. cocincinus with related Amphibolurine agamids revealed that primary postural display types such as forearm, head-bobbing, push-up, and caudal displays are relatively conserved. However, some variations of these displays: forearm lift, wrist wave, double wrist wave, partial show, and false show are novel.


    3.  16:00  Dietary Preferences of Terrapene ornata and Terrapene carolina triunguis in Isolation. Talon Jost*, Rogers State University; Mark Peaden, Rogers State University; Jesse Rader, Rogers State University   sdtalonjost@student.rsu.edu

    Anthropogenic climate change is pushing animal species poleward while urbanization and habitat destruction have made movement for small reptiles and amphibians increasingly more challenging. Changes in dietary composition are common with turtles in temperate zones where hibernation occurs and during different reproductive stages. Changes in dietary composition by seasonal availability can also influence food choice. Box turtles are opportunistic omnivores feeding on available fruits, vegetables, insects, and carrion on roadways. Importance of turtle dietary composition extends further than ex situ conservation and pet care: turtles dispense seeds for numerous plant species. Certain species of plant seeds germinate faster, or at greater success rates when passed through box turtle digestive tract. Established literature has recorded ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata) to have a primarily carnivorous diet, while three-toed box turtles (Terrapene carolina triunguis) are considered primarily herbivorous, but feed carnivorously when available. We studied individuals from Northeast Oklahoma and presented limited food options in an enclosure. Food choices were examined over five trial phases with a mixture of living (worm or cricket) and non-living (strawberry, tomato, mushroom) options. Unique food combinations were used to understand preferences between selected species of turtles. Turtles were examined for dietary preference in the months of August – September which are pre-hibernacula months, changes in diet preceding hibernation could present differing results than previously established notions. This research aims to expound on choice in individuals presented limited food choices.




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