Term of Award
Spring 2009
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biology (M.S.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Biology
Committee Chair
Lance McBrayer
Committee Member 1
Ray Chandler
Committee Member 2
David Rostal
Committee Member 3
Risa Cohen
Abstract
Larval anurans exhibit morphological plasticity in response to environmental conditions. However, the effect of the environment on morphological traits associated with feeding has been understudied. The purpose of this study was to: 1) determine if diet composition and feeding behavior affect chondrocranial morphology and denticle length of Southern toads (Bufo terrestris) in a laboratory setting, and 2) evaluate the potential for light intensity to affect chondrocranial morphology, denticle length, size, and developmental time of B. terrestris raised in three different shade environments. Linear and geometric morphometrics were used to quantify chondrocranial morphology for a group of specimens representing a range of ontogenetic stages, and for prometamorphic specimens as well. The results of this study indicate that diet (directly) and shade (indirectly) influence chondrocranial shape and denticle length.
Recommended Citation
Schacht, Matthew C., "Factors Promoting Variation in Feeding Morphology of Larval Southern Toads (Bufo Terrestris)" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 700.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/700
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
