Morphological Changes Induced by Predators in Tadpoles of Fejervarya cancrivora
This study attempts to gather more information to understand tadpole morphological changes induced by non-lethal predators in Malaysian frogs and to understand better their inducible defence as a survival mechanism. An experimental mesocosm is conducted to assess the changes caused by predators i...
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Main Author: | |
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Format: | Final Year Project Report |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS)
2022
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/39679/2/Izzah%20Nadzirah.pdf http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/39679/ |
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Summary: | This study attempts to gather more information to understand tadpole morphological
changes induced by non-lethal predators in Malaysian frogs and to understand better their
inducible defence as a survival mechanism. An experimental mesocosm is conducted to
assess the changes caused by predators in the larval development of the Field Frog
(Fejervarya cancrivora) found in Bukit Rambai, Melaka. The predators used in this study
are Apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata, and Betta fish, Betta splendens. The changes in
response to the threat of predation are then compared to a controlled specimen. The tadpole’s
tail length (TL), its body length (BL), maximum tail fin depth (TFD), tail muscle depth at
the base of the tail (TMD), and total tadpole length (TTL) were measured to ensure there
were morphological changes. The results from this study supported our expectations based
on previous studies concerning the morphology effect in tadpoles raised with vertebrates
(Betta fish). They are larger, have small bodies, long tails, and large tail muscles. The results
of tadpoles raised with invertebrate (Apple snail), on the other hand, were not like the
hypothesized, as they did not have increased tail fin depth when compared to the control.
This study can help to obtain a better understanding of the tadpole's phenotypic plasticity
evolution. It can also be useful for future monitoring, management planning, and
conservation purposes as changes in tadpole development can alter their life-history
characteristics. |
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