An Electrophoretic Study of Variation in the Blood Proteins of the Toads, Bufo americanus and Bufo woodhousei

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Paper electrophoresis has revealed intra-specific variation in the blood proteins of the 2 closely related toads, B. americanus and B. woodhousei. Eight similar protein bands resolved from the plasma and one hemoglobin band were found in both spp. Certain of these protein bands (2 and 5) were lacking in the plasma of some individuals, this variation probably being genetic. The characteristic electrophoretic patterns of the blood proteins of the 2 spp. and their hybrids were indistinguishable, indicating a close relationship of the 2 spp., and tending to verify the opinions of earlier workers, whose decisions were based on other methods of study. Quantitative variation was found, some of which proved to be the result of starvation.