Document Type

Honors Thesis

Major

Marine Science

Advisor(s)

Scarlett Tudor

Committee Members

Heather Hamlin, Jordan LaBouff

Graduation Year

May 2024

Publication Date

Spring 5-2024

Abstract

Nitrates are an important compound in nature. However, through a number of human activities, nitrate concentrations have exponentially increased in nature. Most of the anthropogenic nitrates come from fertilizers, sewage water, and other wastewater. These nitrates contaminate the water which can get into lakes, rivers, ponds, and other natural bodies of water. Betta splendens are a well studied species in the animal behavior community. They have defined and quantifiable displays and characteristics during aggressive and mating ritual behavior. Betta splendens live in freshwater habitats that have most likely come in contact with the increased levels of nitrates. This study observed anxiety-like behavior of female B. splendens when exposed to increasing levels of nitrates (0 ppm, 10 ppm, 100 ppm). We also looked at whether or not there was a relationship between the body size and anxiety-like behavior of the females. We found that the individuals showed anxiety-like behavior when exposed to 10 ppm of nitrate. We also found that there may be a correlation between female body size and anxiety-like behavior, however we cannot be certain due to having a small data set.

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