Poster Number
18C
Research or Creativity Area
Natural Sciences
Abstract
Color patterns in animals often blend with the environment for camouflage or contrast with the environment for communication in the context of reproduction or to warn predators against chemical defenses. Camouflage tends to favor high variability among individuals whereas communication and warning favor common features that are easy to learn and recognize. The goal of this study is to identify the main axes of variation in the ventral pigmentation of the túngara frog (Engystomops pustulosus), test for differences between the sexes, and evaluate the stability of these traits. We analyzed 3740 pictures of the ventral skin of 897 frogs at various life stages after metamorphosis. The images revealed distinct patterns in various regions of the body. Most individuals exhibited homogeneous dark brown or black mandibular pigmentation but in very rare cases this area presented black patches on a white background. The upper trunk commonly showed densely pigmented patches ranging from brown to black on a white or light brown background. The lower trunk showed larger patches and reduced brown color compared to the upper trunk. A white midsagittal line most commonly extended uninterrupted along the entire body of the frog but it could be omitted over any of the three areas. This study revealed multiple axes of continuous and categorical variation. These patterns remained mostly unaltered throughout the life of the animal and were individually recognizable. No common themes were identified making a role in camouflage more likely than in warning or sexual communication.
Location
Don and Karen DeRosa University Center (DUC) Poster Hall
Start Date
27-4-2024 10:30 AM
End Date
27-4-2024 12:30 PM
Variability of color patterns in the ventral skin of the túngara frog
Don and Karen DeRosa University Center (DUC) Poster Hall
Color patterns in animals often blend with the environment for camouflage or contrast with the environment for communication in the context of reproduction or to warn predators against chemical defenses. Camouflage tends to favor high variability among individuals whereas communication and warning favor common features that are easy to learn and recognize. The goal of this study is to identify the main axes of variation in the ventral pigmentation of the túngara frog (Engystomops pustulosus), test for differences between the sexes, and evaluate the stability of these traits. We analyzed 3740 pictures of the ventral skin of 897 frogs at various life stages after metamorphosis. The images revealed distinct patterns in various regions of the body. Most individuals exhibited homogeneous dark brown or black mandibular pigmentation but in very rare cases this area presented black patches on a white background. The upper trunk commonly showed densely pigmented patches ranging from brown to black on a white or light brown background. The lower trunk showed larger patches and reduced brown color compared to the upper trunk. A white midsagittal line most commonly extended uninterrupted along the entire body of the frog but it could be omitted over any of the three areas. This study revealed multiple axes of continuous and categorical variation. These patterns remained mostly unaltered throughout the life of the animal and were individually recognizable. No common themes were identified making a role in camouflage more likely than in warning or sexual communication.
