Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: UGAMI-2025-2 (submitted: 03/04/2025, status: approved)
Project Type: PhD Dissertation Research
Application Title
Impact of sperm-level selection on offspring osmoregulation
Investigator Information
| Principal Investigator: | Molly Albecker | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Houston | ||
| Award Information: | (not specified) | ||
| Mailing Address: | 3455 Cullen Blvd | Phone Number: | 540-327-0774 |
| E-mail Address: | maalbeck@central.uh.edu | ||
| Houston, Texas 77004 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Alexander Price (University of Houston), Molly Womack (Cornell University) | ||
Project Abstract
Need:
In contrast to traditional biological thought, recent genomics research suggests that the traits of individual animal sperm are partially determined by their unique haploid genome. These findings suggest that natural selection may favor fertilization by sperm of specific genotypes, in a process known as sperm-level selection. This process might serve as a kind of trial for allelic combinations within an individual by favoring sperm with alleles that might improve offspring fitness in the same environments. However, while the impact of male gametophyte (i.e. pollen) selection on offspring in plants is well documented, it remains unclear whether sperm-level selection is an ecologically relevant force in the evolution of an animal's soma. In addition to obscuring the mechanisms of evolution, this knowledge gap impedes our ability to predict the response of animal species to environmental change: in external fertilizers, sperm-level selection could function to better suit offspring to the stressors present immediately before fertilization, buffering these species from anthropogenic change.
Objectives:
The anuran amphibian Hyla cinerea is an apt model to address this knowledge gap. This external fertilizer relies on hypoosmotic cues to activate sperm motility, yet H. cinerea regularly breeds in brackish salt marshes. Therefore H. cinerea likely experiences osmotic cues that could activate a smaller subset of sperm, potentially enabling sperm-level selection. We aim to conduct a breeding experiment to assess whether sperm activated at higher osmolalities sire tadpoles with heightened osmoregulatory abilities (objective 3.), suggesting whether sperm-level selection could contribute to greater salt tolerance that has been observed in this species. To ensure that the osmolality treatments of our breeding experiment are ecologically relevant, we have two preliminary objectives: 1). compare relevant sperm traits under different osmotic conditions in inland and coastal H. cinerea populations; and 2). determine the breeding phenology of H. cinerea in response to osmotic fluctuations in coastal wetlands.
Methodology:
For objective 1 we will capture male H. cinerea on Sapelo Island and inland sites and collect their sperm to determine the sperm motility of frogs from both locations at different osmolalities. We will also acclimate these males to different osmotic conditions over the course of several weeks in the laboratory. This technique will illuminate the effect that phenotypic plasticity may have on H. cinerea sperm traits in different environments. In objective 2 we will deploy 12 remote audio recorders and 12 osmolality data loggers throughout the duration of the project on Sapelo Island to record when male H. cinerea and other anurans call in response to osmotic fluctuations in coastal wetlands. We will return to the 12 sites weekly to identify tadpoles to confirm whether breeding occurred during bouts of calling. In objective 3, we will collect frogs from Sapelo Island and inland sites and non-lethally harvest their eggs and sperm. We will then activate the frogs' sperm at osmolalities based on the objectives 1 and 2, and we will fertilize the eggs and observe survivorship and development at osmolalities similar or dissimilar to those that activated sperm.
Project Location
This project will be located in SINERR and Sapelo Island WMA. We will attach a spreadsheet or map of potential field sites shortly after submission, and we will provide finalized GPS points shortly after the onset of this project.
GPS Coordinates for Study Sites
I will provide a spreadsheet containing GPS coordinates for my study sites
Expected Start and End Dates of the Project
Start Date: 05/08/2025 End Date: 10/31/2025
Number and Frequency of People Accessing the Site
3 people will accesses sites with osmolality data loggers and audio recorders (12 total) weekly. However, these sites may be visted more frequently on occassion (~ every 3 days). Other sites without osmolality data loggers and audio recorders (i.e. no equipment in the left in the field) may also be visted for collection for the same frequencies.
Keywords Describing the Project
Equipment Deployed in the Field
At 12 sites we will deploy audio recorders, osmolality loggers, and 2 t-posts (steel fence posts) per site to secure these devices. Each t-post will be marked with bright orange flagging tape.
Additional sites may be selected for soley for Hyla cinerea collections. At these sites no equipment will be deployed.
Plants and Animal Collecting
50 adult Hyla cinerea will be collected and released.
Likely Impacts of the Project on the Site
2 t-posts will be deployed at each of the 12 sites and marked with orange flagging tape. All equipment be removed before the end of the project. While there is a chance that orange tape could be left behind, care will be taken to responsibly remove and dispose of flagging tape.
All collected animals will be returned to the field.
Boardwalk Installation Plans
No. We will select sites that can be accessed without boardwalks.
Expected persistence of site impacts after the research is concluded?
Impacts from deployed equipment will cease immediately after they are removed.
We do not expect impacts on amphiban populations after release