Genotoxic Risk of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Amphibians

Abstract

About 41% of the amphibian species are threatened with extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. One important environmental factor commonly associated with the amphibian decline phenomenon is solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to its genotoxicity. Other stressors present in the environment may potentiate the UV-induced effects on amphibians. In this way, this is an emergent topic in the research fields of ecotoxicology and conservation. In this chapter, we summarize the state-of-the-art knowledge about the genotoxic risk of solar UV radiation for amphibian species and its potential implications for the population decline phenomenon. We discuss the relevance of UV radiation for amphibians in a changing environment, describe UV-induced DNA lesions and their lethal and sublethal consequences for amphibians, and explore amphibian strategies to avoid and deal with UV damage, such as behavioural changes and activation of DNA repair mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the link between the genotoxicity triggered by solar UV exposure and the amphibian decline and ecology.