Is Behavioral Fever in P. glutinosus Quantifiably Affected by Variable Amounts of Poly(I:C)?
Abstract
Amphibians face numerous novel pressures in the modern world. One such significant note is pathogens. Ectotherms cannot physiologically induce a fever like endotherms do, and they instead undergo a process known as behavioral fever in which individuals seek out warmer microclimates to raise their internal body temperature. This has been studied sparsely in salamander species. Physiological stressors also induce changes in behavior that can often be detected through changes in signal molecules in bodily fluids. Changes in corticosterone are often used as a major indicator of stress in amphibians. If P. glutinosus individuals are injected with a pyrogen, then they should show evidence of a change in thermal preference and in corticosterone levels. This is because fever in ectotherms requires a change in behavior brought on by the stressor of a perceived pathogen. To accomplish this, two objectives were decided upon: compare the thermal preferences of Plethodon glutinosus individuals when injected with differing quantities of the pyrogen Poly(I:C) and then collect and compare dermal corticosterone of Plethodon glutinosus individuals when undergoing behavioral fever. Individuals were injected with four variable amounts of the pyrogen poly(I:C): 0µg/g (control), 7.5 µg/g, 15 µg/g, and 21.5 µg/g. An individual is then placed in within a controlled behavioral arena with temperature varying between chambers: 15°C, 18°C, 21°C, and 24°C. Individuals were monitored over a 36-hour period in which their presence within a chamber was recorded every minute. Corticosterone was collected via dermal swabbing. Individuals were swabbed at three different moments during the experiment: once upon collection, once before placement within the chambers, and once after the end of the 36-hour trial period. These were then analyzed via an ELISA assay. From these analyses, temperature preferences varied amongst treatment groups and dermal corticosterone levels did not vary among the treatment groups.
Start Time
16-4-2025 11:00 AM
End Time
16-4-2025 12:00 PM
Room Number
303
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Non-comp Orals
Presentation Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Faculty Mentor
Joe Bidwell
Is Behavioral Fever in P. glutinosus Quantifiably Affected by Variable Amounts of Poly(I:C)?
303
Amphibians face numerous novel pressures in the modern world. One such significant note is pathogens. Ectotherms cannot physiologically induce a fever like endotherms do, and they instead undergo a process known as behavioral fever in which individuals seek out warmer microclimates to raise their internal body temperature. This has been studied sparsely in salamander species. Physiological stressors also induce changes in behavior that can often be detected through changes in signal molecules in bodily fluids. Changes in corticosterone are often used as a major indicator of stress in amphibians. If P. glutinosus individuals are injected with a pyrogen, then they should show evidence of a change in thermal preference and in corticosterone levels. This is because fever in ectotherms requires a change in behavior brought on by the stressor of a perceived pathogen. To accomplish this, two objectives were decided upon: compare the thermal preferences of Plethodon glutinosus individuals when injected with differing quantities of the pyrogen Poly(I:C) and then collect and compare dermal corticosterone of Plethodon glutinosus individuals when undergoing behavioral fever. Individuals were injected with four variable amounts of the pyrogen poly(I:C): 0µg/g (control), 7.5 µg/g, 15 µg/g, and 21.5 µg/g. An individual is then placed in within a controlled behavioral arena with temperature varying between chambers: 15°C, 18°C, 21°C, and 24°C. Individuals were monitored over a 36-hour period in which their presence within a chamber was recorded every minute. Corticosterone was collected via dermal swabbing. Individuals were swabbed at three different moments during the experiment: once upon collection, once before placement within the chambers, and once after the end of the 36-hour trial period. These were then analyzed via an ELISA assay. From these analyses, temperature preferences varied amongst treatment groups and dermal corticosterone levels did not vary among the treatment groups.