Behavioural Ecology, Reproductive Biology and Colour Change Physiology in the Stony Creek Frog (Litoria wilcoxii)

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Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Castley, James
Hero, Jean-Marc
Other Supervisors
Narayan, Edward
Year published
2017
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Many animals possess the remarkable ability to change their skin colour. Colour change can have several potential functions, including communication, thermoregulation and camouflage. However, while the physiological mechanisms and functional significance of colour change in other vertebrates have been well studied, the role of colour change in amphibians is still relatively unknown and a disconnection between morphology, physiology and function exists in the literature (review presented in chapter 2).
In this thesis, I investigate these multidisciplinary components to understand the processes and functions of colour change ...
View more >Many animals possess the remarkable ability to change their skin colour. Colour change can have several potential functions, including communication, thermoregulation and camouflage. However, while the physiological mechanisms and functional significance of colour change in other vertebrates have been well studied, the role of colour change in amphibians is still relatively unknown and a disconnection between morphology, physiology and function exists in the literature (review presented in chapter 2). In this thesis, I investigate these multidisciplinary components to understand the processes and functions of colour change in stony creek frogs (Litoria wilcoxii), which are known to turn bright yellow during the breeding season. By (1 – Chapter 3) examining the distribution and structure of dermal pigment cells, (2– Chapter 4) determining hormonal triggers of rapid colour change, (3– Chapter 5) investigating seasonal colour, hormone and disease relationships and (4– Chapter 6) determining the evolutionary functions of colour change, I provide a comprehensive explanation of this phenomenon in L. wilcoxii.
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View more >Many animals possess the remarkable ability to change their skin colour. Colour change can have several potential functions, including communication, thermoregulation and camouflage. However, while the physiological mechanisms and functional significance of colour change in other vertebrates have been well studied, the role of colour change in amphibians is still relatively unknown and a disconnection between morphology, physiology and function exists in the literature (review presented in chapter 2). In this thesis, I investigate these multidisciplinary components to understand the processes and functions of colour change in stony creek frogs (Litoria wilcoxii), which are known to turn bright yellow during the breeding season. By (1 – Chapter 3) examining the distribution and structure of dermal pigment cells, (2– Chapter 4) determining hormonal triggers of rapid colour change, (3– Chapter 5) investigating seasonal colour, hormone and disease relationships and (4– Chapter 6) determining the evolutionary functions of colour change, I provide a comprehensive explanation of this phenomenon in L. wilcoxii.
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Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Griffith School of Environment
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Note
In order to comply with copyright Chapters 3,5 and 6 have not been published here.
Subject
Stony creek frogs (Litoria wilcoxii)
Camouflage, Frogs
Skin colour change, Frogs
Human chorionic gonadotropin