Publication Date

4-25-2021

Document Type

Article

First Advisor

King, Bethia H.

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

Tonic immobility (TI), otherwise known as thanatosis or death-feigning, is a response in which an animal assumes an often death-like pose in the face of a predator or life threat (Teles et al. 2017). There are multiple amphibian species that exhibit tonic immobility, but there is not a single place in which all of their information is collected. The purpose of this project was to review and compare a wide collection of scientific reports on TI in different species of amphibians in order to create a library of knowledge to be a useful resource to future lab students and animal behaviorists. After finding 13 reputable sources using Web of Science, I found that 63 amphibian species of only frogs and toads have been found to exhibit TI. The most common TI posture involves a supine position with stiff legs, no additional anti-predator responses, and remaining in this position for ~101 seconds.

Extent

13 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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