Quantitative behavioral studies of misdirected responses in skin‐grafted Rana pipiens

Abstract

The experiments reported here describe quantitatively wiping responses elicited from three equal body sections of adult Rana pipiens having had one of two types of skin-graft operations as tadpoles. These experiments assessed the development of aberrant wiping responses in individuals and populations of grafted animals. Grafting parameters critical for the development of aberrant wiping responses were also determined. These studies indicated that the phenomenon of "misdirected responses" and the extent of these responses is highly variable among grafted individuals and between different populations of grafted animals. In addition, the development of "misdirected responses" is independent of premetamorphic stimulation and of a critical grafting period. The proportion of "misdirected responses" elicited upon cutaneous stimulation of individuals appears to be stable and predictable after metamorphosis. "Misdirected responses" could be elicited from animals with grafts including over 40% of the trunk skin. Wiping responses and grafting parameters of skin-grafted R. pipiens in other studies are also presented and possible sources of interstudy variation discussed.