Full metadata
Title
Olfactory Navigation to Water Resources and Deferred Intake of Brackish Water During Dehydration in a Xeric-adapted Species, the Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum)
Description
As water is essential for survival, seasonal scarcity of freshwater resources can pose a challenge for many species. In xeric environments, efficient location of ephemeral water is crucial to capitalize on this rare, critical resource. Yet little is known about how organisms locate water, though it has been acknowledged that olfactory spatial navigation may benefit water searching in xeric-adapted species. Additionally, drinking behavior may be influenced by water salinity as consuming water with salinity levels that exceed blood osmolality can induce or exacerbate dehydration. To investigate whether animals can locate water via olfaction, whether salinity affects the amount of water consumed, and whether the extent of dehydration affects both processes, I conducted three experiments in a xeric-adapted reptile, the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum). Two experiments used a T-maze to examine the effects of various olfactory cues and hydration state on spatial navigation to water resources, while the third experiment examined willingness to drink water of various salinity levels depending on the extent of dehydration. I found that Gila monsters accurately navigated to olfactory cues associated with aged tap water, but not other olfactory cues (pond water, geosmin/MIB, IBMP/IPMP). Increased extent of dehydration correlated with greater spatial navigation efficiency but did not meaningfully impact navigation accuracy. Moderately dehydrated Gila monsters selectively consumed water with lower salinity levels (freshwater, 1,250 ppm, and 2,500 ppm) and avoided highly saline water resources (10,000 ppm and 20,000 ppm). However, considerably dehydrated animals demonstrated an increased propensity to consume water with higher salinity levels. These results provide evidence for olfactory spatial navigation and selective consumption of saline water as strategies to locate water and efficiently osmoregulate in an osmotically challenging environment. These findings underscore the observed adaptable physiological and behavioral traits Gila monsters and other xeric-adapted species use to endure the seasonal water limitations.
Date Created
2024
Contributors
- Northrop, Victoria (Author)
- DeNardo, Dale F (Thesis advisor)
- Gerber, Leah R (Committee member)
- Martins, Emilia P (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
61 pages
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.2.N.193653
Level of coding
minimal
Cataloging Standards
Note
Partial requirement for: M.S., Arizona State University, 2024
Field of study: Biology
System Created
- 2024-05-02 02:31:17
System Modified
- 2024-05-02 02:31:23
- 6 months 1 week ago
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