Abstract:

This dataset includes videos of behavior of the California sea hare (Aplysia californica) following exposure to crude oil. The primary reflex that was examined is the tail-withdrawal reflex which is defined as the amount of time it takes for the tail to relax after a tail tap. This endpoint is considered to be a measure of an anti-predator response. Aplysia californica was exposed to control or crude oil for a 24-hour prior to behavioral testing. Scoring of these videos are found in GRIIDC dataset R6.x804.000:0039 (doi: 10.7266/VMG63446).

Suggested Citation:

Zlatkin, Rebecca L., Rachael Heuer, and Martin Grosell. 2020. Effects of crude oil on the California sea hare (Aplysia californica) behavioral responses- video files. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/n7-92pb-m318

Purpose:

To determine the impacts of crude oil on the tail-withdrawal reflex in the California sea hare (Aplysia californica).

Data Parameters and Units:

The dataset contains the Excel spreadsheet “Aplysia video identification key and crude oil concentrations”. And another Excel spreadsheet “Aplysia oil PAH data for source oil”. Folder containing videos of gut clearance videos: “Aplysia gut clearance videos” Videos: 63 mp4 video files labelled for each individual animal, Examples: Animal 1; Animal 2; etc. There is also an extensive readme file. The headers are Animal identification number; Animal mass (grams); Replicate tank number; Sum fifty PAH (micrograms per liter); Chemical, Source 1-7 Initial; and Source 1-7 Final.

Methods:

Aplysia californica were obtained from the National Institute of Health- National Resource for Aplysia at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School. Aplysia californica were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: control seawater, seawater containing a dilution of source oil, or seawater containing a dilution of weathered oil. Following acclimation, animals were tested using a tail-withdrawal reflex behavioral assay (see further methods in readme file). Methods: Gut clearance time to determine fasting period: Description: gut clearance observations conducted to determine the proper amount of time needed for digestion by the animal to avoid digestion taking place in the static water conditions which could affect water chemistry. Based on these videos, the gut was found to be cleared 48 hours after feeding. Videos were taken 24, 48, and 72 hours post feed and are in the folder labeled as “Aplysia gut clearance videos” Methods: Tail-withdrawal reflex measurements: For all behavioral assays, animals were gently removed from their experimental tank and placed carefully in the bottom of test tanks held with clean seawater. Animals were given a 5-10-minute acclimation time to become accustomed to the test tank prior to commencing behavioral tests. All assays were recorded on video and the experimenter was blind to the experimental treatment during experiments and during subsequent video viewing. Following the acclimation period, the animal was carefully lifted off the test tank bottom, and gently held by the experimenter as close to the tank bottom as possible without allowing the animal to adhere to the bottom. The animal was then placed on the bottom of the tank and a blunted 20G needle was pressed onto the tip of the animal’s tail. This depression caused the tail to withdraw and represented the starting time of the reflex. The reflex was measured in triplicate with rest intervals of around 10 minutes between each trial. Videos are saved as mp4 files and individual animals are reported in separate files as: Animal 1; Animal 2; etc. Treatment group, level of oil exposure, animal mass, and type of oil are reported in the Excel file labeled “Aplysia video identification key and crude oil concentrations.”

Individual Files: