Noninvasive Detection of Chemical Defenses in Poison Frogs Using the MasSpec Pen.

ABSTRACT: Poison frogs are well-known for their fascinating ability to store alkaloids in their skin as chemical defense against predators. Chemical methods used to study these alkaloids are limited by requirements for euthanasia or stress during sampling. Here, we demonstrate sensitive and biocompatible alkaloid detection and monitoring in vivo using the MasSpec Pen, a handheld, noninvasive chemical detection device coupled to a mass spectrometer. The MasSpec Pen allowed rapid (<15 s), gentle, and consecutive molecular analysis without harm or undue stress to the animals. Through a month-long alkaloid-feeding study with the dyeing poison frog, we observed temporal dynamics of chemical sequestration in vivo by comparing frogs fed the alkaloid decahydroquinoline (DHQ) to vehicle-fed fro

SUBMITTER: Krieger AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9585640 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature