Ultraviolet radiation, toxic chemicals and amphibian population declines

Blaustein, Andrew R.; Romansic, John M.; Kiesecker, Joseph M.; Hatch, and Audrey C.

doi:10.1046/j.1472-4642.2003.00015.x

Cited by 363 publications

(236 citation statements)

References 147 publications

(232 reference statements)

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“…[9 -16]). UV-B has also been shown to interact synergistically with the pathogenic water mould Saprolegnia ferax [15], low pH [17], low temperature [16], a variety of contaminants [18] and non-lethal predatory chemical cues (PCC) [10] to enhance amphibian mortality above the additive effects of the independent stressors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A small increase in UV-B increases the susceptibility of tadpoles to predation

2011

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Increased ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation as a consequence of ozone depletion is one of the many potential drivers of ongoing global amphibian declines. Both alone and in combination with other environmental stressors, UV-B is known to have detrimental effects on the early life stages of amphibians, but our understanding of the fitness consequences of these effects remains superficial. We examined the independent and interactive effects of UV-B and predatory chemical cues (PCC) on a suite of traits of Limnodynastes peronii embryos and tadpoles, and assessed tadpole survival time in a predator environment to evaluate the potential fitness consequences. Exposure to a 3 to 6 per cent increase in UV-B, which is comparable to changes in terrestrial UV-B associated with ozone depletion, had no effect on any of the traits measured, except survival time in a predator environment, which was reduced by 22 to 28 per cent. Exposure to PCC caused tadpoles to hatch earlier, have reduced hatching success, have improved locomotor performance and survive for longer in a predator environment, but had no effect on tadpole survival, behaviour or morphology. Simultaneous exposure to UV-B and PCC resulted in no interactive effects. These findings demonstrate that increased UV-B has the potential to reduce tadpole fitness, while exposure to PCCs improves their fitness.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A small increase in UV-B increases the susceptibility of tadpoles to predation

2011

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“…The damage to amphibians by low pH has been described by numerous authors (e.g. Clark and Hall 1985;Leuven et al 1986;Böhmer and Rahmann 1990;Pierce 1993;Blaustein et al 2003). The seriousness of acidic precipitation for amphibians in the wild has not been unchallenged, however.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Amphibian recovery after a decrease in acidic precipitation

Dolmen

Finstad

Skei³

2017

Ambio

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The printed version can be found on http://rdcu.be/y6BG (view only without subscription). AbstractWe here report the first sign of amphibian recovery after a strong decline due to acidic precipitation over many decades and peaking around 1980-90. In 2010, the pH level of ponds and small lakes in two heavily acidified areas in southwestern Scandinavia (Aust-Agder and Østfold in Norway) had risen significantly at an (arithmetic) average of 0.14 since 1988-89.Parallel with the general rise in pH, amphibians ( Rana temporaria , R. arvalis , Bufo bufo , Lissotriton vulgaris and Triturus cristatus ) had become significantly more common: the frequency of amphibian localities rose from 33% to 49% ( n = 115), and the average number of amphibian species per locality had risen from 0.51 to 0.88. In two other (reference) areas, one with better buffering capacity (Telemark, n = 21) and the other with much less input of acidic precipitation (Nord-Trøndelag, n = 106), there were no significant changes in pH or amphibians.Corresponding author: Dag Dolmen, NTNU University Museum, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.

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“…Nitrogen pollution has been appointed as one of the major causes for the ongoing global amphibian population decline (Blaustein et al, 2003). Several studies have demonstrated the toxic effects of NO -on amphibian larval stages Beitinger, 1980a, 1980b;Griffis-Kyle, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of low levels of water salinity on toxicity of nitrite to anuran larvae

Shinn¹,

Marco²,

Serrano³

2013

Chemosphere

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a b s t r a c tReactive nitrogen compounds such as nitrite (NO -) are highly toxic to aquatic animals and are partly responsible for the global decline of amphibians. On some fish and Caudata amphibian species low levels of sodium chloride significantly reduce the toxicity of nitrite. However, the nitrite-salinity interaction has not been properly studied in anuran amphibians. To verify if chloride (Cl -) attenuates NO -toxicity, eggs and larvae of three anuran species were subjected to a series of NO -solutions combined with three salt concentrations (0, 0.4 and 2 or 0, 0.052 and 0.2 g L -1 NaCl). One of the species tested originated from two different populations inhabiting highly contrasted nutrient richness environments: lowland Doñana Natural Park and Sierra de Gredos Mountain. In general, the presence of Cl -increased survival and growth of lowland Pelophylax perezi and activity of mountain P. perezi larvae exposed to NO -, thus attenuating the toxicity of NO -to developing amphibians. Mountain amphibian populations appeared to be much more sensitive to the concentrations of NO -and Cl -used in this experiment than coastal conspecifics, suggesting possible adaptation of populations to local conditions. Nitrogen pollution in coastal wetlands poses a serious threat to aquatic organisms, causing direct toxicity or indirect effects via ecosystem eutrophication. The presence of low to medium levels of salinity that would be common in coastal wetlands may attenuate the direct effects of increasing concentrations of nitrogenous compounds in water bodies. Furthermore, treating cultures of endangered anurans with small amounts of NaCl may provide an additional protective measure.

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Ultraviolet radiation, toxic chemicals and amphibian population declines

Cited by 363 publications

References 147 publications

A small increase in UV-B increases the susceptibility of tadpoles to predation

A small increase in UV-B increases the susceptibility of tadpoles to predation

Amphibian recovery after a decrease in acidic precipitation

Influence of low levels of water salinity on toxicity of nitrite to anuran larvae

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