Morphological Changes Induced by Predators in Tadpoles of Fejervarya cancrivora

Izzah Nadzirah, Nor Azman (2022) Morphological Changes Induced by Predators in Tadpoles of Fejervarya cancrivora. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This study attempts to gather more information to understand tadpole morphological changes induced by non-lethal predators in Malaysian frogs and to understand better their inducible defence as a survival mechanism. An experimental mesocosm is conducted to assess the changes caused by predators in the larval development of the Field Frog (Fejervarya cancrivora) found in Bukit Rambai, Melaka. The predators used in this study are Apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata, and Betta fish, Betta splendens. The changes in response to the threat of predation are then compared to a controlled specimen. The tadpole’s tail length (TL), its body length (BL), maximum tail fin depth (TFD), tail muscle depth at the base of the tail (TMD), and total tadpole length (TTL) were measured to ensure there were morphological changes. The results from this study supported our expectations based on previous studies concerning the morphology effect in tadpoles raised with vertebrates (Betta fish). They are larger, have small bodies, long tails, and large tail muscles. The results of tadpoles raised with invertebrate (Apple snail), on the other hand, were not like the hypothesized, as they did not have increased tail fin depth when compared to the control. This study can help to obtain a better understanding of the tadpole's phenotypic plasticity evolution. It can also be useful for future monitoring, management planning, and conservation purposes as changes in tadpole development can alter their life-history characteristics.

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