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Conan A, Dehaut N, Enstipp M, Handrich Y, Jumeau J. Stormwater ponds as an amphibian breeding site: a case study with European green toad tadpoles. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:12114-12124. [PMID: 36104646 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22991-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Stormwater ponds (SWPs) are built to collect and retain polluted runoff water from roads. Consequently, they are not perceived as suitable habitat for wetland species, such as many amphibians. However, given the drastic decline of wetland areas, SWPs may serve as a habitat for protected amphibian species, such as the European green toad (Bufotes viridis). The latter species is frequently found inside these artificial ponds, but their reproductive success is unknown. We assessed the suitability of SWPs as breeding habitat for European green toads by monitoring 8 SWPs and 8 semi-natural ponds (SNPs), which served as control sites. At each site, two groups of 30 tadpoles, originating at that site, were held inside two floating enclosures that contained sediment from the respective pond. During bi-weekly monitoring, tadpoles were counted and measured, allowing to estimate growth and mortality rates. A variety of biotic and abiotic factors were studied to determine the causes of potential differences in growth and mortality rates between the two pond types. While growth rate did not differ between pond types, mortality rates were significantly greater in SWPs than in SNPs. The extremely low survival rate observed in SWPs might be explained by the considerably greater pollutant concentration in their sediment and/or by the presence of leeches, which were found exclusively inside SWPs. Implementation of management measures, such as regular draining/dredging during winter, might help to lower the pollutant concentration in the sediment and reduce the density of leeches inside SWPs, improving their suitability as habitat for amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonin Conan
- CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Collectivité Européenne d'Alsace, CERISE, Place du Quartier Blanc, 67964, Cedex 9, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Nathan Dehaut
- Collectivité Européenne d'Alsace, CERISE, Place du Quartier Blanc, 67964, Cedex 9, Strasbourg, France
| | - Manfred Enstipp
- CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yves Handrich
- CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jonathan Jumeau
- Collectivité Européenne d'Alsace, CERISE, Place du Quartier Blanc, 67964, Cedex 9, Strasbourg, France
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Leeb C, Kolbenschlag S, Laubscher A, Adams E, Brühl CA, Theissinger K. Avoidance behavior of juvenile common toads (Bufo bufo) in response to surface contamination by different pesticides. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242720. [PMID: 33253276 PMCID: PMC7704001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Most agricultural soils are expected to be contaminated with agricultural chemicals. As the exposure to pesticides can have adverse effects on non-target organisms, avoiding contaminated areas would be advantageous on an individual level, but could lead to a chemical landscape fragmentation with disadvantages on the metapopulation level. We investigated the avoidance behavior of juvenile common toads (Bufo bufo) in response to seven pesticide formulations commonly used in German vineyards. We used test arenas filled with silica sand and oversprayed half of each with different pesticide formulations. We placed a toad in the middle of an arena, filmed its behavior over 24 hours, calculated the proportion of time a toad spent on the contaminated side and compared it to a random side choice. We found evidence for the avoidance of the folpet formulation Folpan® 500 SC, the metrafenone formulation Vivando® and the glyphosate formulation Taifun® forte at maximum recommended field rates for vine and a trend for avoidance of Wettable Sulphur Stulln (sulphur). No avoidance was observed when testing Folpan® 80 WDG (folpet), Funguran® progress (copper hydroxide), SpinTorTM (spinosad), or 10% of the maximum field rate of any formulation tested. In the choice-tests in which we observed an avoidance, toads also showed higher activity on the contaminated side of the arena. As video analysis with tracking software is not always feasible, we further tested the effect of reducing the sampling interval for manual data analyses. We showed that one data point every 15 or 60 minutes results in a risk of overlooking a weak avoidance behavior, but still allows to verify the absence/presence of an avoidance for six out of seven formulations. Our findings are important for an upcoming pesticide risk assessment for amphibians and could be a template for future standardized tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Leeb
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Sara Kolbenschlag
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Aurelia Laubscher
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Elena Adams
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Carsten A. Brühl
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Kathrin Theissinger
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt, Germany
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Ruiz de Arcaute C, Brodeur JC, Soloneski S, Larramendy ML. Toxicity to Rhinella arenarum tadpoles (Anura, Bufonidae) of herbicide mixtures commonly used to treat fallow containing resistant weeds: glyphosate-dicamba and glyphosate-flurochloridone. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 245:125623. [PMID: 31855759 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Glyphosate (GLY)-dicamba (DIC) and GLY-flurochloridone (FLC) are herbicide mixtures which are widely used for treating fallow containing glyphosate resistant weeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxic effects and the prevailing interactions on stage 36 tadpoles of the anuran species Rhinella arenarum when exposed to equitoxic and non-equitoxic combinations of these herbicide combinations. Experiments were realized using the following combinations of commercial formulations: 48% GLY-based Credit® + 57.71% DIC-based Banvel® and 48% GLY-based Credit® + 25% FLC-based Twin Pack Gold®. GLY-DIC and GLY-FLC equitoxic mixtures were assayed mixing each constituent with an equivalent individual toxicity able to induce the same lethality effect. After 96 h of exposure, GLY-DIC and GLY-FLC equitoxic mixtures presented toxic unit 50 values (TU50 96h) of 1.74 (confidence interval: 1.58-1.92) and 1.54 (confidence interval: 1.46-1.62) respectively, indicating the presence of a weak antagonistic interaction as TU values were greater than 1. For their part, most non-equitoxic combinations of GLY-DIC and GLY-FLC tested did not significantly differ from additivity, the only exception being when DIC and FLC were fixed at 0.33 TUs, where a weak antagonism was observed. Overall, results indicate that the toxicity of both GLY-DIC and GLY-FLC mixtures to R. arenarum tadpoles vary from additive to slightly antagonistic, depending on the proportion of constituting herbicide formulations present in the mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Ruiz de Arcaute
- Cátedra de Citología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 64 Nº 3, B1904AMA, La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julie C Brodeur
- Instituto de Recursos Biológicos, Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales (CIRN), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sonia Soloneski
- Cátedra de Citología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 64 Nº 3, B1904AMA, La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo L Larramendy
- Cátedra de Citología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 64 Nº 3, B1904AMA, La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Sievers M, Hale R, Parris KM, Swearer SE. Impacts of human‐induced environmental change in wetlands on aquatic animals. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 93:529-554. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Sievers
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Robin Hale
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Kirsten M. Parris
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Stephen E. Swearer
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
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Wagner N, Veith M, Lötters S, Viertel B. Population and life-stage-specific effects of two herbicide formulations on the aquatic development of European common frogs (Rana temporaria). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2017; 36:190-200. [PMID: 27291460 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination is suggested to contribute to amphibian population declines. However, the effects of a contaminant on a particular amphibian species can differ among populations. The authors investigated the toxic effects of 2 herbicide formulations on different populations and on representative developmental stages of the European common frog (Rana temporaria). Larvae from forest populations were more sensitive to a commonly used glyphosate-based herbicide compared with individuals from agrarian land. Median lethal concentrations correlated with measured glyphosate levels in the breeding ponds, which may be a sign of evolved tolerances. The reverse result was observed for a less commonly used cycloxydim-based herbicide. Effects of the glyphosate-based herbicide were stronger for earlier larval stages compared with later larval stages. Hence, applications in early spring (when early larvae are present in breeding ponds) pose greater risk concerning acute toxic effects on R. temporaria. With regard to late larval stages, short exposure (96 h) of prometamorphic larvae prolonged time to metamorphosis, but only at the highest test concentration that did not significantly induce mortality. This could be due to impairment of the thyroid axis. Notably, nearly all test concentrations of the 2 herbicides provoked growth retardation. Further research on how evolved or induced tolerances are acquired, actual contamination levels of amphibian habitats, and potential endocrine effects of glyphosate-based herbicides is necessary. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:190-200. © 2016 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman Wagner
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Trier, Germany
| | - Michael Veith
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Trier, Germany
| | - Stefan Lötters
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Trier, Germany
| | - Bruno Viertel
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Trier, Germany
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Wagner N, Müller H, Viertel B. Effects of a commonly used glyphosate-based herbicide formulation on early developmental stages of two anuran species. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:1495-1508. [PMID: 27785717 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7927-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination, especially due to the increasing use of pesticides, is suggested to be one out of six main reasons for the global amphibian decline. Adverse effects of glyphosate-based herbicides on amphibians have been already discussed in several studies with different conclusions, especially regarding sublethal effects at environmentally relevant concentrations. Therefore, we studied the acute toxic effects (mortality, growth, and morphological changes) of the commonly used glyphosate-based herbicide formulation Roundup® UltraMax on early aquatic developmental stages of two anuran species with different larval types (obligate vs. facultative filtrating suspension feeders), the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and the Mediterranean painted frog (Discoglossus pictus). While X. laevis is an established anuran model organism in amphibian toxicological studies, we aim to establish D. pictus as another model for species with facultative filtrating larvae. A special focus of the present study lies on malformations in X. laevis embryos, which were investigated using histological preparations. In general, embryos and larvae of X. laevis reacted more sensitive concerning lethal effects compared to early developmental stages of D. pictus. It was suggested, that especially the different morphology of their filter apparatus and the higher volume of water pumped through the buccopharynx of X. laevis larvae lead to higher exposure to the formulation. The test substance induced similar lethal effects in D. pictus larvae as it does in the teleost standard test organism used in pesticide approval, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), whereas embryos of both species are apparently more tolerant and, conversely, X. laevis larvae about two times more sensitive. In both species, early larvae always reacted significantly more sensitive than embryos. Exposure to the test substance increased malformation rates in embryos of both species in a concentration-dependent manner, but not at environmentally relevant concentrations. However, the assumed field safety, based on calculated surface water concentrations of the active ingredient (glyphosate), should be validated with realistic field data and buffer strips have to be urgently regarded to any aquatic amphibian habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman Wagner
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Universitätsring 15, 54296, Trier, Germany.
| | - Hendrik Müller
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Evolutionary Biology with Phyletic Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Erbertstr. 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Bruno Viertel
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Universitätsring 15, 54296, Trier, Germany
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Baier F, Gruber E, Hein T, Bondar-Kunze E, Ivanković M, Mentler A, Brühl CA, Spangl B, Zaller JG. Non-target effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on Common toad larvae ( Bufo bufo, Amphibia) and associated algae are altered by temperature. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2641. [PMID: 27833808 PMCID: PMC5101619 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glyphosate-based herbicides are the most widely used pesticides in agriculture, horticulture, municipalities and private gardens that can potentially contaminate nearby water bodies inhabited by amphibians and algae. Moreover, the development and diversity of these aquatic organisms could also be affected by human-induced climate change that might lead to more periods with extreme temperatures. However, to what extent non-target effects of these herbicides on amphibians or algae are altered by varying temperature is not well known. METHODS We studied effects of five concentrations of the glyphosate-based herbicide formulation Roundup PowerFlex (0, 1.5, 3, 4 mg acid equivalent glyphosate L-1 as a one time addition and a pulse treatment of totally 4 mg a.e. glyphosate L-1) on larval development of Common toads (Bufo bufo, L.; Amphibia: Anura) and associated algae communities under two temperature regimes (15 vs. 20 °C). RESULTS Herbicide contamination reduced tail growth (-8%), induced the occurrence of tail deformations (i.e. lacerated or crooked tails) and reduced algae diversity (-6%). Higher water temperature increased tadpole growth (tail and body length (tl/bl) +66%, length-to-width ratio +4%) and decreased algae diversity (-21%). No clear relation between herbicide concentrations and tadpole growth or algae density or diversity was observed. Interactive effects of herbicides and temperature affected growth parameters, tail deformation and tadpole mortality indicating that the herbicide effects are temperature-dependent. Remarkably, herbicide-temperature interactions resulted in deformed tails in 34% of all herbicide treated tadpoles at 15 °C whereas no tail deformations were observed for the herbicide-free control at 15 °C or any tadpole at 20 °C; herbicide-induced mortality was higher at 15 °C but lower at 20 °C. DISCUSSION These herbicide- and temperature-induced changes may have decided effects on ecological interactions in freshwater ecosystems. Although no clear dose-response effect was seen, the presence of glyphosate was decisive for an effect, suggesting that the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) in our study was 1.5 mg a.e. glyphosate L-1 water. Overall, our findings also question the relevance of pesticide risk assessments conducted at standard temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Baier
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Edith Gruber
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Hein
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
- WasserCluster Lunz–Biologische Station GmbH, Lunz am See, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Bondar-Kunze
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
- WasserCluster Lunz–Biologische Station GmbH, Lunz am See, Austria
| | - Marina Ivanković
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Axel Mentler
- Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Carsten A. Brühl
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Bernhard Spangl
- Institute of Applied Statistics and Computing, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann G. Zaller
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
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Gandhi JS, Cecala KK. Interactive effects of temperature and glyphosate on the behavior of blue ridge two-lined salamanders (Eurycea wilderae). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2016; 35:2297-303. [PMID: 26872413 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential interactive effects of stream temperatures and environmentally relevant glyphosate-based herbicide concentrations on movement and antipredator behaviors of larval Eurycea wilderae (Blue Ridge two-lined salamander). Larval salamanders were exposed to 1 of 4 environmentally relevant glyphosate concentrations (0.00 µg acid equivalent [a.e.]/L, 0.73 µg a.e./L, 1.46 µg a.e./L, and 2.92 µg a.e./L) at either ambient (12 °C) or elevated (23 °C) water temperature. Behaviors observed included the exploration of a novel habitat, use of refuge, habitat selection relative to a potential predator, and burst movement distance. In the absence of glyphosate, temperature consistently affected movement and refuge-use behavior, with individuals moving longer distances more frequently and using refuge less at warm temperatures; however, when glyphosate was added, the authors observed inconsistent effects of temperature that may have resulted from differential toxicity at various temperatures. Larval salamanders made shorter, more frequent movements and demonstrated reduced burst distance at higher glyphosate concentrations. The authors also found that lower glyphosate concentrations sometimes had stronger effects than higher concentrations (i.e., nonmonotonic dose responses), suggesting that standard safety tests conducted only at higher glyphosate concentrations might overlook important sublethal effects on salamander behavior. These data demonstrate that sublethal effects of glyphosate-based herbicides on natural behaviors of amphibians can occur with short-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2297-2303. © 2016 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaina S Gandhi
- Department of Biology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kristen K Cecala
- Department of Biology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, USA
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Domínguez A, Brown GG, Sautter KD, de Oliveira CMR, de Vasconcelos EC, Niva CC, Bartz MLC, Bedano JC. Toxicity of AMPA to the earthworm Eisenia andrei Bouché, 1972 in tropical artificial soil. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19731. [PMID: 26792548 PMCID: PMC4726205 DOI: 10.1038/srep19731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) - one of glyphosate’s main metabolites - has been classified as persistent in soils, raising concern regarding the widespread use of glyphosate in agriculture and forestry. Glyphosate may have negative or neutral effects on soil biota, but no information is available on the toxicity of AMPA to soil invertebrates. Therefore our aim was to study the effect of AMPA on mortality and reproduction of the earthworm species Eisenia andrei using standard soil ecotoxicological methods (ISO). Field-relevant concentrations of AMPA had no significant effects on mortality in acute or chronic assays. Except at the highest concentration tested, a significant biomass loss was observed compared to controls in the chronic assay. The number of juveniles and cocoons increased with higher concentrations of AMPA applied, but their mean weights decreased. This mass loss indicates higher sensitivity of juveniles than adults to AMPA. Our results suggest that earthworms coming from parents grown in contaminated soils may have reduced growth, limiting their beneficial roles in key soil ecosystem functions. Nevertheless, further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the sublethal effects observed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahí Domínguez
- CONICET - Geology Department, National University of Rio Cuarto, 5804 Rio Cuarto, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - José Camilo Bedano
- CONICET - Geology Department, National University of Rio Cuarto, 5804 Rio Cuarto, Argentina
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Wagner N, Lötters S, Veith M, Viertel B. Effects of an environmentally relevant temporal application scheme of low herbicide concentrations on larvae of two anuran species. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 135:175-181. [PMID: 25950411 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Cultivation of herbicide-tolerant crops involves repeated applications of the complementary herbicide throughout the growing season, while in conventional corn production, herbicide application is restricted to the beginning of cultivation. Repeated application of herbicides increases both the likelihood an organism will be exposed to the herbicide and the concentration it may be exposed to. We examined effects of short and pulsed exposure of the cycloxydim-based herbicide formulation Focus® Ultra at doses close to the calculated LC5 (0.01 and 0.5 mg a.i. L(-1)) and LC10 values (0.05 and 1.0 mg a.i. L(-1)) on early premetamorphic and prometamorphice larvae of two anuran model organisms, Xenopus laevis and Discoglossus scovazzi. In addition, larvae were repeatedly exposed, i.e. at all considered developmental stages. The herbicide did not induce effects on body size at and time to metamorphosis or increase deformation rates in both species. Exposure to calculated LC5 values did not increase mortality or cause clinical signs in both species. At calculated LC10 values, narcotic effects were seen in all developmental stages. There was no clear evidence of developmental-specific mortality. Metamorphic success was independent of time point and duration of application in X. laevis. Only repeated exposure significantly increased mortality at metamorphosis in D. scovazzi. Narcosis may result in increased mortality under field conditions due to rise of predation risk. Different sensitivity of the test species to the compound was attributed to their physiological properties. Different filtering rates were understood as an accompanying factor influencing exposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman Wagner
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Universitätsring 15, 54296 Trier, Germany.
| | - Stefan Lötters
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Universitätsring 15, 54296 Trier, Germany
| | - Michael Veith
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Universitätsring 15, 54296 Trier, Germany
| | - Bruno Viertel
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Universitätsring 15, 54296 Trier, Germany
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Ujszegi J, Gál Z, Mikó Z, Hettyey A. No observable effect of a glyphosate-based herbicide on two top predators of temporal water bodies. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2015; 34:307-13. [PMID: 25378294 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
It has been implied that the application of pesticides is involved in the world-wide decline of biodiversity, but little is known about the influence of these chemicals on key predators of temporary wetlands. The direct impacts were examined of a frequently applied glyphosate-based herbicide on larval Aeshna cyanea (Müller, 1764; Odonata, Insecta) and adult male Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758; Caudata, Amphibia), 2 top predators of Central European ephemeral ponds. The effects of herbicide exposure were measured on survival, behavior, body mass change, and predatory activity in an outdoor mesocosm experiment lasting for 17 d. No significant effects of exposure were observed in either predator species. The results suggest that the herbicide has no immediate effect on the predators studied at environmentally relevant concentrations and that these predators can also fulfill their top-down regulatory role in contaminated ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- János Ujszegi
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
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Farabaugh N, Nowakowski A. Behavioral responses of the Strawberry Poison Frog (Oophaga pumilio) to herbicide olfactory cues: possible implications for habitat selection and movement in altered landscapes. CAN J ZOOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2014-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has focused on the importance of behavior in mediating the effects of landscape change on amphibian populations and communities. Factors such as chemical contaminants may affect habitat selection and movement of amphibians in human-altered habitats and contribute to landscape-level patterns of distribution and abundance. The objective of this study was to determine if the Strawberry Poison Frog (Oophaga pumilio (Schmidt, 1857)) can use olfactory cues to detect and avoid the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup™. Fifty frogs were captured in the field in Costa Rica and tested in experimental arenas where they were given a choice between a control and an herbicide treatment. Analysis of time spent in treatment areas revealed a significant interaction between sex and treatment. Analyses of choice at the start and end of the trials indicated that sex and cardinal direction were important factors influencing orientation behavior. These results suggest that males and females differed in their behavioral responses, and that male O. pumilio may use olfactory cues to detect and avoid areas treated with glyphosate-based herbicide. However, the sampled population was male-biased, which resulted in a lower sample size and lower power to detect an effect for females. Further work is needed to better understand amphibian behavioral responses to herbicides, as well as the role of sex and individual variation in modifying these responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- N.F. Farabaugh
- College of Natural Resources and Sciences, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521, USA
| | - A.J. Nowakowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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Wagner N, Reichenbecher W, Teichmann H, Tappeser B, Lötters S. Questions concerning the potential impact of glyphosate-based herbicides on amphibians. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2013; 32:1688-700. [PMID: 23637092 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 01/20/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Use of glyphosate-based herbicides is increasing worldwide. The authors review the available data related to potential impacts of these herbicides on amphibians and conduct a qualitative meta-analysis. Because little is known about environmental concentrations of glyphosate in amphibian habitats and virtually nothing is known about environmental concentrations of the substances added to the herbicide formulations that mainly contribute to adverse effects, glyphosate levels can only be seen as approximations for contamination with glyphosate-based herbicides. The impact on amphibians depends on the herbicide formulation, with different sensitivity of taxa and life stages. Effects on development of larvae apparently are the most sensitive endpoints to study. As with other contaminants, costressors mainly increase adverse effects. If and how glyphosate-based herbicides and other pesticides contribute to amphibian decline is not answerable yet due to missing data on how natural populations are affected. Amphibian risk assessment can only be conducted case-specifically, with consideration of the particular herbicide formulation. The authors recommend better monitoring of both amphibian populations and contamination of habitats with glyphosate-based herbicides, not just glyphosate, and suggest including amphibians in standardized test batteries to study at least dermal administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman Wagner
- Biogeography Department, Trier University, Trier, Germany.
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