Picky TonguesPicky Tongues

A study of the eating habits of A study of the eating habits of anuran species by Zach Moning, anuran species by Zach Moning,

Leo Sack, and Willis OkechLeo Sack, and Willis Okech

Background InformationBackground Information

• The Order Anura includes frogs and toadsThe Order Anura includes frogs and toads

• Frogs spend their entire lives in or around Frogs spend their entire lives in or around bodies of water, while toads return to bodies of water, while toads return to water only to lay eggswater only to lay eggs

• The species we study are all frogsThe species we study are all frogs

Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs ((Acris crepitans blanchardiAcris crepitans blanchardi))

Northern Green FrogsNorthern Green Frogs((Rana clamitans melanotaRana clamitans melanota))

Leopard Frogs(Rana pipiens)

Research Question and Research Question and HypothesesHypotheses

• How does species size affect the eating How does species size affect the eating habits of anurans?habits of anurans?

• We believe that larger frogs will have more We believe that larger frogs will have more diverse dietsdiverse diets

• We also believe that larger frogs will grow We also believe that larger frogs will grow in biomass more rapidly than smaller onesin biomass more rapidly than smaller ones

MethodsMethods

• Every other day, we offer each of the 15 Every other day, we offer each of the 15 frogs the following: crickets, guppies, meal frogs the following: crickets, guppies, meal worms, and wormsworms, and worms

• During each feeding time, we note which During each feeding time, we note which items have been consumeditems have been consumed

• Every week, we weigh the frogsEvery week, we weigh the frogs

What’s New, Pussycat…er, Frog?What’s New, Pussycat…er, Frog?

• Several Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs, on an Several Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs, on an apparent hunger strike, have perished apparent hunger strike, have perished (May they rest eternally in peace). Our (May they rest eternally in peace). Our specimen number has dwindled to 14specimen number has dwindled to 14

• One of the aquaria has sprung a leak, One of the aquaria has sprung a leak, leaving us resorting to desperate leaving us resorting to desperate measuresmeasures

• Our data collection has finally begun! Our data collection has finally begun! w00t!w00t!

Relevance of ResearchRelevance of Research

• Amphibians are the perfect bio-indicatorAmphibians are the perfect bio-indicator

• Anurans can become hella invasive, yoAnurans can become hella invasive, yo– American Bullfrogs in the American MidwestAmerican Bullfrogs in the American Midwest– Cane Toads in AustraliaCane Toads in Australia

• Several species of frogs and toads are Several species of frogs and toads are disappearing, such as Blanchard’s Cricket disappearing, such as Blanchard’s Cricket FrogsFrogs

• Your mom probably likes frogsYour mom probably likes frogs

What to do Today!What to do Today!

• Aquarium cleaning (YAY!!!)Aquarium cleaning (YAY!!!)

• Taking data/Feeding frogs (YAY!!!)Taking data/Feeding frogs (YAY!!!)

• Attempting to fix the broken aquarium Attempting to fix the broken aquarium (YAY!!!)(YAY!!!)

• Weighing frogs (YAY!!!)Weighing frogs (YAY!!!)

““Frogs are Neat!”Frogs are Neat!”- Charles Darwin (probably)- Charles Darwin (probably)

The end.The end.