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Effects of available cover and feeding schedule on the behavior and growth of the juvenile African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis)

Lab Animal volume 37, pages 165–169 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Though the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) is the most commonly used amphibian in biological research, there are no standard protocols for the husbandry of this species. With the goal of developing optimal conditions for raising these frogs, the authors assessed the effects of available cover and feeding schedule on post-metamorphic growth and behavior of juvenile X. laevis. Frogs, which were housed four per tank, had access to varying numbers of shelters (zero, two or four) and were fed either daily or episodically (three times per week) over a period of 6 months. Though X. laevis growth was not influenced by the availability of cover, frogs that were fed daily grew larger than frogs that were fed episodically. Additionally, frogs that were fed daily and had no access to cover were most likely to exhibit foraging behavior when disturbed. These results suggest that feeding frogs daily will promote growth and fecundity. Furthermore, although labs often provide frogs with hiding places, such cover does not enhance X. laevis growth.

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Figure 1: A male Xenopus laevis on the grid used to measure the size of the frogs during the experiment.

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Acknowledgements

We thank K. Sullivan for his assistance with animal care, and G. Handrigan, J. Phillips, R. Tinsley and S. Adamo for critical feedback on draft manuscripts. Greg Handrigan also provided insight into methods for raising and breeding Xenopus. This research was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Canada operating grant to R.J.W.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College St., Halifax, B3H 1X5, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Gillian M. Gouchie, Lesley F. Roberts &  Richard J. Wassersug

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  1. Gillian M. Gouchie
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  2. Lesley F. Roberts
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  3. Richard J. Wassersug
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Correspondence to Richard J. Wassersug.

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Gouchie, G., Roberts, L. & Wassersug, R. Effects of available cover and feeding schedule on the behavior and growth of the juvenile African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). Lab Anim 37, 165–169 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0408-165

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