The morphometric and erythrometric analyses of Pelophylax ridibundus living in anthropogenic pollution resources

Abstract

The health status of Pelophylax ridibundus species living in anthropogenic pollution sources in Erzurum (Turkey) were investigated. Firstly, heavy metal concentrations of water and sediment samples taken from where the frogs live and in the frog liver and were determined by instrumental analysis. Secondly, morphometric (fluctuating asymmetry-FA, hepatosomatic index-HSI) and erythrometric analyses were performed to reveal the health status of the frogs in the areas. Our study provides the first morphometric datas on the frog in Turkey. Although the metal concentrations in the surface water were high, it was determined that they did not exceed the limit values. However, Cr, Ni, Zn, and As metal concentrations in the sediment were determined to be above the acceptable level. It was also found that some metals accumulated in the livers of the frog due to heavy metal pollution. On the other hand, the FA, HSI values and the erythrocytic nuclear abnormality frequency increased in the frogs living in polluted stations. Moreover, erythrocyte size decreased and nucleated erythrocyte, mitotic erythrocyte, pycnotic erythrocyte, and immature erythrocyte frequencies increased. It was found that there was a correlation between the presence of pollution and the health status 2 of the frogs, and the frog populations were affected negatively by anthropogenic pollution.

Structural Alterations in Scales of Capoeta capoeta from Heavy Metal-Contaminated River Water

“…Although the idea that these abnormalities seen in sh scales are caused by heavy metals is dominant, according to Corrales et al (2000), this situation can also be caused by genetic damage, diseases, and physical and chemical factors. Today, almost all aquatic ecosystems are affected by many anthropogenic pollution (Jawad et al 2017;Dönmez and Şişman, 2021). Fluctuations in temperature, medical waste, increased acidity, and the presence of environmental pollutants and toxins are undesirable negative factors in aquatic systems and it is emphasized that these will cause increased deformation in sh scales (Jawad et al 2017).…”