Cannibalistic Toads Reveal 'Evolution in Fast Motion,' Study Finds Primary Research Article Choosy cannibals: Targeted consumption of conspecific hatchlings by larval cane toads is triggered by species-specific defensive toxins

Ashwaq Mohamed. Cannibalistic Toads Reveal ‘Evolution in Fast Motion,’ Study Finds Primary Research Article Choosy cannibals: Targeted consumption of conspecific hatchlings by larval cane toads is triggered by species-specific defensive toxins.

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The study discovered that cane toad tadpoles had an intense appetite for hatching cane toad eggs.

Tadpoles that were not exposed to the bufadienolide toxin did not consume the native frog eggs or their own eggs..

Figure. Graph measures the predation of cane toad eggs in three different conditions The first condition is when the bufadienolide is completely absent Second condition is when a fresh toxin is used (1 mg of bufadienolide ) Third condition is when the fresh toxin is extracted and injected into ceramic rings (2 mg of bufadienolide )..

A curacy a n d Explanation. The news article was accurate It correctly explains the gist of the experiment and the use of the bufadienolide toxin in determining the cause of the cane toad’s cannibalistic tendencies The results explained in the news article align with the findings in the primary literature article( bufadienolide toxin is causing the cannibalistic behavior of the toads).

Citations. Roth, A. (2022, March 15). Cannibalistic toads reveal 'evolution in fast motion,' study finds . The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https:// www.nytimes.com /2022/03/15/science/cane-toads- cannibals.html Crossland, M. R., Shine, R., & Devore, J. L. (2022, March 1). Choosy cannibals: Targeted consumption of conspecific ... Wiley Online Library. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https:// onlinelibrary.wiley.com / doi /10.1002/ece3.8655 Goebel, F. R. (2010, January). Quantifying spatial movement of the greyback cane beetle . Research Gate. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https:// www.researchgate.net /publication/289229038_Quantifying_spatial_movement_of_the_greyback_cane_beetle_in_the_sugarcane_landscape_Data_available_and_research_needs Waldie , I. (2005, August). A cane toad is exhibited at Taronga Zoo August 9, 2005 in Sydney,... Getty Images. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/cane-toad-is-exhibited-at-taronga-zoo-august-9-2005-in-news-photo/ 53343187 Quinn, M. (2019, May 1). Sugarcane beetle . Pioneer® Seeds. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https:// www.pioneer.com /us/agronomy/ sugarcane_beetle_cropfocus.html.

Credits. This video was made by Ashwaq Mohamed within the context of BIO 182: General Biology for Majors II, Arizona State University, Spring 2022.