Abstract
dc:description.abstract<p>Among major vertebrate groups, anurans are understudied with regards to their visual systems and how they function. This study sampled North American anurans representing diverse evolutionary and life histories and which likely possess visual systems adapted to meet different ecological needs. Using standard molecular techniques, sequences were obtained for four opsins—the protein component of visual pigments—expressed in anuran retinas. Amino acid sequences of the genes RH1, LWS, SWS1, and SWS2 were compared across taxa to identify variable sites, as such variation can shift the spectral sensitivity of visual pigments and thus alter dim-light and color vision. Some of the amino acid changes observed are known to tune spectral sensitivity in other vertebrates, and tests for positive selection revealed additional candidate tuning sites in LWS. The observed variation cannot fully be explained by evolutionary relationships among species. Taken together, results suggest that other factors may be driving changes to anuran visual systems.</p>
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science - Biology
- Level thesis:degree_level
- Thesis
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Biology
- Year dc:date.available
- 2019
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Perez, Leah
- Contributors dc:contributor
-
- Dr. Matthew Kwiatkowski
- Dr. Jennifer Gumm
- Dr. Beatrice Clack
Subjects
dc:subject × 4Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Repository record dc:identifier
- https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/244
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1303