Stress Hormone Variability in Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans) Throughout the Mating Season
Abstract
Amphibian populations are declining due to combinations of abiotic and biotic stressors throughout their annual active periods. Understanding how these stressors affect their physiology is vital to conservation efforts. The goal of this study was to quantify corticosterone in green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) at baseline levels and in response to an acute stressor throughout the mating season. The project was conducted from May to September of 2024 at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. Corticosterone levels were determined over six consecutive days from May to September using a non-invasive dermal swab technique. Additionally, body metrics, water chemistry, weather conditions, and observational variables were also evaluated on each sampling trip. The acute stress response was assessed by capturing individual frogs and taking repeated swabs over the course of a one hour holding period. Green frogs had higher baseline corticosterone levels in August compared to June and July but no difference in the acute stress response across all months of the study. This project exposed the variations green frogs have in corticosterone throughout their mating season.
Start Time
16-4-2025 2:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 3:30 PM
Room Number
303
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Faculty Mentor
Joe Bidwell
Stress Hormone Variability in Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans) Throughout the Mating Season
303
Amphibian populations are declining due to combinations of abiotic and biotic stressors throughout their annual active periods. Understanding how these stressors affect their physiology is vital to conservation efforts. The goal of this study was to quantify corticosterone in green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) at baseline levels and in response to an acute stressor throughout the mating season. The project was conducted from May to September of 2024 at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. Corticosterone levels were determined over six consecutive days from May to September using a non-invasive dermal swab technique. Additionally, body metrics, water chemistry, weather conditions, and observational variables were also evaluated on each sampling trip. The acute stress response was assessed by capturing individual frogs and taking repeated swabs over the course of a one hour holding period. Green frogs had higher baseline corticosterone levels in August compared to June and July but no difference in the acute stress response across all months of the study. This project exposed the variations green frogs have in corticosterone throughout their mating season.