Abstract
Prior studies have shown that the environment can significantly influence the development of physiological and physical traits of life. Specifically, we investigated how the developmental condition of feeding regime influences the physiological performance of boas (Boa constrictor imperator). This study was part of a long-term study of different feeding regimes (feasting=weekly, fasting=1/5weeks). Prior studies in our lab have uncovered morphological differences in growth. These studies demonstrated that snakes fed frequently became more muscular and massive whereas snakes fed infrequently were more refined and less muscular despite being fed the same relative amount of prey. Our study added to these prior studies by examining the influence with feeding regime on the boas' physiological performance. We conducted measurements of strike speed and other variables with boa constrictors using a high-speed video camera. Our study is one of few studies that has looked at the influence of long-term processes on physical performance. Based on our previous observations on the morphology of these groups, we hypothesized that the more massive snakes may have a faster strike speed because they are more muscular. The snakes in the infrequent group were hypothesized to be able to have a longer strike distance because they have less body mass for gravity to act against.
College
College of Science & Engineering
Department
Biology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Noah Anderson
Start Date
4-19-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
4-19-2023 10:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1a=9am-10am
Poster Number
21
Included in
Feasting or Fasting: The Influence of Feeding Regime on Physiological Performance.
Prior studies have shown that the environment can significantly influence the development of physiological and physical traits of life. Specifically, we investigated how the developmental condition of feeding regime influences the physiological performance of boas (Boa constrictor imperator). This study was part of a long-term study of different feeding regimes (feasting=weekly, fasting=1/5weeks). Prior studies in our lab have uncovered morphological differences in growth. These studies demonstrated that snakes fed frequently became more muscular and massive whereas snakes fed infrequently were more refined and less muscular despite being fed the same relative amount of prey. Our study added to these prior studies by examining the influence with feeding regime on the boas' physiological performance. We conducted measurements of strike speed and other variables with boa constrictors using a high-speed video camera. Our study is one of few studies that has looked at the influence of long-term processes on physical performance. Based on our previous observations on the morphology of these groups, we hypothesized that the more massive snakes may have a faster strike speed because they are more muscular. The snakes in the infrequent group were hypothesized to be able to have a longer strike distance because they have less body mass for gravity to act against.
