Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Exploration of Biofluorescent Sexual Dimorphism in the Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Wildlife Conservation: Zoological Conservation
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Howard Whiteman
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Sexual dimorphism evolves in response to changes in mating success within species, and understanding those evolutionary processes requires documenting the degree to which organisms are sexual dimorphic. Our understanding of this variation is often limited because of the range of human senses, which can limit our ability to comprehend the presence of such dimorphism. For example, biofluorescence has recently been documented in a wide range of species and sexual dimorphism in some of these organisms suggests that it is used in sexual communication. This new window into visual perception suggests that sexual dimorphism may occur in species in a way that was previously unknown to science. Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are not sexually dimorphic in size, coloration, or other traits, but are biofluorescent and may harbor such cryptic sexual dimorphism. Using a laboratory population of axolotls and specialized excitation lights and filters, we photographed biofluorescent patterns to determine the degree to which axolotls exhibited fluorescence and to document any sexual dimorphism. All photographs have been taken and are currently being analyzed. Given the sexual behavior of axolotls and sexual selection theory, we predict that males are more likely to be brighter and have more extensive biofluorescent patterns than females.
Spring Scholars Week 2025
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Exploration of Biofluorescent Sexual Dimorphism in the Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum
Sexual dimorphism evolves in response to changes in mating success within species, and understanding those evolutionary processes requires documenting the degree to which organisms are sexual dimorphic. Our understanding of this variation is often limited because of the range of human senses, which can limit our ability to comprehend the presence of such dimorphism. For example, biofluorescence has recently been documented in a wide range of species and sexual dimorphism in some of these organisms suggests that it is used in sexual communication. This new window into visual perception suggests that sexual dimorphism may occur in species in a way that was previously unknown to science. Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are not sexually dimorphic in size, coloration, or other traits, but are biofluorescent and may harbor such cryptic sexual dimorphism. Using a laboratory population of axolotls and specialized excitation lights and filters, we photographed biofluorescent patterns to determine the degree to which axolotls exhibited fluorescence and to document any sexual dimorphism. All photographs have been taken and are currently being analyzed. Given the sexual behavior of axolotls and sexual selection theory, we predict that males are more likely to be brighter and have more extensive biofluorescent patterns than females.