Growth versus glycogen and lipid energy storage prior to winter in Common Side-blotched Lizards, Uta stansburiana
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom C/D
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Winter energetics, Reptile, Uta stansburiana, Lizard
Abstract
Ectotherms are subject to climatological factors, specifically seasonal temperature variations that influence overall survival. Studies have looked at populations of common side-blotched lizards, Uta stansburiana, adults however this study investigates the mechanisms for survival of side-blotched lizard hatchlings and the relationship between energetics and developmental growth. It was hypothesized that hatchlings initially prioritize obtained energy towards growth to ensure survival, and then shift the energy consumption priority during late summer and fall towards energy storage in the form of both lipid and glycogen. Lizards were collected over a four month period (August-November) in which the carcasses were dissected allowing for the measurement of fat body tissue content as well as concentrations of glycogen present in ~25-75 mg subsamples of liver. Results suggest a correlation between lipid storage and glycogen storage. Fat body content in hatching lizards significantly differed over time (F=5.318, p=0.002, r2=0.512), and a graphical trend relating a significant increase in fat body content between the months of September and October. While the total glycogen content did not show a significant difference between dates (p=0.228, r2 =0.138), graphical trends also reveal an increase in total glycogen content between the months October and November. This suggests that after a month of rapid growth the hatchlings switch priority from growth to energy storage in both fat body and glycogen in liver tissue.
Recommended Citation
Rathburn, Elizabeth Anne, "Growth versus glycogen and lipid energy storage prior to winter in Common Side-blotched Lizards, Uta stansburiana" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 45.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/posters/45
Poster Number
31
Additional Mentoring Department
Biological Sciences
Growth versus glycogen and lipid energy storage prior to winter in Common Side-blotched Lizards, Uta stansburiana
SURC Ballroom C/D
Ectotherms are subject to climatological factors, specifically seasonal temperature variations that influence overall survival. Studies have looked at populations of common side-blotched lizards, Uta stansburiana, adults however this study investigates the mechanisms for survival of side-blotched lizard hatchlings and the relationship between energetics and developmental growth. It was hypothesized that hatchlings initially prioritize obtained energy towards growth to ensure survival, and then shift the energy consumption priority during late summer and fall towards energy storage in the form of both lipid and glycogen. Lizards were collected over a four month period (August-November) in which the carcasses were dissected allowing for the measurement of fat body tissue content as well as concentrations of glycogen present in ~25-75 mg subsamples of liver. Results suggest a correlation between lipid storage and glycogen storage. Fat body content in hatching lizards significantly differed over time (F=5.318, p=0.002, r2=0.512), and a graphical trend relating a significant increase in fat body content between the months of September and October. While the total glycogen content did not show a significant difference between dates (p=0.228, r2 =0.138), graphical trends also reveal an increase in total glycogen content between the months October and November. This suggests that after a month of rapid growth the hatchlings switch priority from growth to energy storage in both fat body and glycogen in liver tissue.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Irwin, Jason