Date of Award
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Zachary Stahlschmidt
First Committee Member
Jane Khudyakov
Second Committee Member
Tara Thiemann
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN), or ecological light pollution, is increasingly prevalent worldwide. Exposure to ALAN tends to negatively impact animals—particularly, nocturnal animals—but life-history strategies may mitigate these costs. Animals in many regions are also increasingly exposed to climate-related stressors, such as heat and drought. Yet, interactions among ALAN, life-history strategy, and stress tolerance are unknown. Therefore, I determined if developmental ALAN exposure (1) affects development, (2) affects adult phenotype, including heat and desiccation tolerance, and (3) affects and/or interacts with life-history strategy. To address my aims, I used the variable field cricket (Gryllus lineaticeps) because its geographic range is increasingly exposed to ALAN, heat, and drought conditions; it exhibits different life-history strategies (flight-capability vs. flight-incapability); and it is mainly nocturnal. Although developmental duration and success were not impacted by ALAN exposure, ALAN affected adult phenotype, with a positive effect on body mass, body size, and reproductive investment, and a negative effect on heat tolerance. Life-history strategy also affected stress tolerance—flight-incapable females had greater heat tolerance, and their desiccation tolerance was improved by ALAN exposure. Thus, key features of environmental change (i.e., exposure to ALAN, heat, and drought) may favor some life-history strategies over others.
Pages
45
Recommended Citation
Bonfoey, Alyssa M.. (2022). DEVELOPMENTAL PLASTICITY OF STRESS TOLERANCE AND LIFE-HISTORY STRATEGY TO ARTIFICIAL LIGHT AT NIGHT. University of the Pacific, Thesis. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3816
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