Contact

  • Academic
    apollock@stanford.edu
    University - Student Department: Biology Position: Undergraduate
    University - Student Department: French and Italian Position: Undergraduate
    University - Student Department: Comparative Medicine Position: Graduate

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 5020

All Publications

  • Albino Xenopus laevis tadpoles prefer dark environments compared to wild type. microPublication biology Adebogun, G. T., Bachmann, A. E., Callan, A. A., Khan, U., Lewis, A. R., Pollock, A. C., Alfonso, S. A., Arango Sumano, D., Bhatt, D. A., Cullen, A. B., Hajian, C. M., Huang, W., Jaeger, E. L., Li, E., Maske, A. K., Offenberg, E. G., Ta, V., Whiting, W. W., McKinney, J. E., Butler, J., O'Connell, L. A. 2023; 2023

    Abstract

    Tadpoles display preferences for different environments but the sensory modalities that govern these choices are not well understood. Here, we examined light preferences and associated sensory mechanisms of albino and wild-type Xenopus laevis tadpoles. We found that albino tadpoles spent more time in darker environments compared to the wild type, although they showed no differences in overall activity. This preference persisted when the tadpoles had their optic nerve severed or pineal glands removed, suggesting these sensory systems alone are not necessary for phototaxis. These experiments were conducted by an undergraduate laboratory course, highlighting how X. laevis tadpole behavior assays in a classroom setting can reveal new insights into animal behavior.

    View details for DOI 10.17912/micropub.biology.000750

    View details for PubMedID 36824381

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9941856