| Movements of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles in weak current flows resemble a directed random walk. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21697421 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Current flow is an important biological stimulus for larval anuran amphibians, but little is known about how it is perceived. We quantified behavioral responses to controlled water flow in the bullfrog tadpole (Rana catesbeiana) at developmental stages prior to metamorphic climax, and examined the contribution of a functioning lateral line system to these behaviors. Tadpoles at these developmental stages show a significant preference for the sides and bottom of a flow tank. In response to water flow at three different rates, they exhibit a significant, time-dependent tendency to move downstream, away from the source of the flow, and to remain in areas where flow is minimized. The consistency of these behaviors at all tested flow rates suggests that the animals are not simply passively pushed by the current; instead, they actively swim away from the current source. Tadpoles do not exhibit positive rheotaxis towards the source of the flow at any flow rate but as a group are randomly oriented. Treatment with cobalt chloride, a known blocker of superficial neuromast function, significantly reduces the tendency to move downstream, but does not alter the preference for the sides and bottom of the tank. Tadpoles' movements under flow are consistent with a model of locomotion based on a directed random walk. |
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Authors:
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Brian P Schmidt; Jeffrey M Knowles; Andrea Megela Simmons |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The Journal of experimental biology Volume: 214 ISSN: 1477-9145 ISO Abbreviation: J. Exp. Biol. Publication Date: 2011 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-06-23 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0243705 Medline TA: J Exp Biol Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 2297-307 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Departments of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, and of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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