The Effects of Sun Exposure and Density on the Intensity of Salamander Biofluorescence

Project Abstract

Salamanders have been used in a variety of different experiments to determine the health of various ecosystems. Biofluorescence was recently discovered in amphibians, but little is known about its functions, and more studies are needed to fully understand how it works and how it can be affected by environmental factors. Learning more about the functions of salamander biofluorescence could lead to a greater understanding of how pollutants and other human impacts can affect salamanders and ecosystem health. This project aims to focus on tiger salamander biofluorescence and how its distribution and intensity is affected by the exposure of sunlight. Salamander larvae will be taken from a single pond to control for any differences among the ponds. They will be manipulated in a 3x2 factorial design, with two light treatments (dark, ambient) and three density treatments (1, 2, and 4 salamanders/tank). Biofluorescence will be photographed before and after treatments with a blue excitation light and a 500 nm long-pass filter, and brightness analyzed with ImageJ. I hypothesize that the salamanders exposed to darker environments and increased density will lead to brighter glow because of the potential social role of biofluorescence.

Conference Details

N/A 

Funding Type

Research Grant

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Area/Major/Minor

Wildlife Conservation/Zoological Conservation

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Classification

Senior

Name

Dr. Howard H. Whiteman

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

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