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Mikó Z, Hettyey A. Toxicity of POEA-containing glyphosate-based herbicides to amphibians is mainly due to the surfactant, not to the active ingredient. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:150-159. [PMID: 36680666 PMCID: PMC10008773 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02626-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Current international legislation regarding agrochemicals requires thorough toxicological testing mainly of the active ingredients. In a 96-h acute toxicity test we exposed Rana dalmatina and Bufo bufo tadpoles to either one of three concentrations of glyphosate, three concentrations of the surfactant (POEA), three concentrations of the two components together, or to non-contaminated water (control), and subsequently assessed mortality and body mass. To investigate whether simultaneous exposure to another stress factor influences effects of the contaminants, we performed tests both in the presence or absence of predator chemical cues. We found that the surfactant had significant harmful effects on tadpoles; survival was lowered by the highest concentration of the surfactant in case of R. dalmatina, while in B. bufo tadpoles it reduced survival already at medium concentrations. Body mass was significantly influenced by medium and high surfactant concentrations in both species. The presence of glyphosate did not have a significant effect by itself, but it slightly increased mortality in tadpoles exposed to medium concentrations of the surfactant in both species. The presence of chemical cues did not have an effect on the examined variables. Our study confirms that the toxicity of glyphosate-based herbicides is mainly due to the examined surfactant. Nonetheless, we found that glyphosate can enhance the harmful effect of the surfactant. These results stress that during the authorization process of new pesticide formulations, not only the active ingredients would need to be examined but the excipients should also be taken into account in an obligatory and systematic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsanett Mikó
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary.
| | - Attila Hettyey
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary
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2
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Bakonyi G, Vásárhelyi T, Szabó B. Pollution impacts on water bugs (Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha): state of the art and their biomonitoring potential. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:301. [PMID: 35344112 PMCID: PMC8960648 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09961-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As water pollution poses an increasing risk worldwide, it is timely to assess the achievements of the aquatic macroinvertebrate ecotoxicology to provide a sound basis for the discipline's future and support the development of biomonitoring. Aquatic and semi-aquatic bugs (Hemiptera: Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha) are ubiquitous in almost all water types, sometimes in high densities, and play a significant role in organic material turnover and energy flow. Nevertheless, they are ignored in the water pollution biomonitoring schemes. Here, based on 300 papers, we review and evaluate the effects of chemical pesticides, microorganism-derived pesticides, insecticides of plant origin, heavy metals, eutrophication, salinisation and light pollution which are summarised for the first time. Our review encompasses the results of 100 laboratory and 39 semi-field/field experiments with 47 pesticides and 70 active ingredients. Pyrethroids were found to be more toxic than organochlorine, organophosphate and neonicotinoid insecticides to water bugs, like other macroinvertebrate groups. Additionally, in 10 out of 17 cases, the recommended field concentration of the pesticide was higher than the LC50 values, indicating potential hazards to water bugs. The recommended field concentrations of pesticides used in mosquito larvae control were found non-toxic to water bugs. As very few replicated studies are available, other findings on the effects of pesticides cannot be generalised. The microorganism-derived pesticide Bti appears to be safe when used at the recommended field concentration. Data indicates that plant-derived pesticides are safe with a high degree of certainty. We have identified three research areas where water bugs could be better involved in water biomonitoring. First, some Halobates spp. are excellent, and Gerris spp. are promising sentinels for Cd contamination. Second, Micronecta and, to a certain extent, Corixidae species composition is connected to and the indicator of eutrophication. Third, the species composition of the Corixidae is related to salinisation, and a preliminary method to quantify the relationship is already available. Our review highlights the potential of water bugs in water pollution monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Bakonyi
- Department of Zoology and Ecology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100, Gödöllő, Hungary.
| | | | - Borbála Szabó
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, 2163, Vácrátót, Hungary
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3
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Curi L, Cuzziol Boccioni A, Peltzer P, Attademo A, Bassó A, León E, Lajmanovich R. Signals from predators, injured conspecifics, and pesticide modify the swimming behavior of the gregarious tadpole of the Dorbigny’s Toad, Rhinella dorbignyi (Anura: Bufonidae). CAN J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tadpoles detect chemical signals released from predators and conspecifics, as well as those present in the environment, and adjust their behavioral responses. This study evaluated the swimming activity of Dorbigny’s Toad (Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril and Bibron, 1841)) tadpoles exposed to chemical signals, including cues from a predator fish, the marbled swamp eel (Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, 1795), and an injured conspecific; sublethal concentration of insecticide cypermethrin; and their combination. Swimming behavior (total distance moved, mean speed, global activity, number of contacts between tadpoles) was evaluated in an individual (1) and groups of different size (3, 5, 7, and 10 tadpoles) using a video-tracking software tool. Predator exposure modified behavioral parameters, reducing encounters with predators and, therefore, mortality. Total distance moved and mean speed increased in trials involving 1 tadpole and 3 interacting tadpoles exposed to injured conspecifics, whereas global activity increased in all group sizes, showing that gregarious tadpoles may be affected by alarm cues and their behavior may be disrupted. The insecticide treatments (alone and combined) increased parameters in all group sizes, causing hyperactivity due to its neurotoxic effect. The different responses observed after exposure to alarm cues and environmental signals in the different group sizes modified the normal behavior and the ecological dynamics of gregarious tadpoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- L.M. Curi
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Ictiología del Nordeste (INICNE), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (FCV, UNNE), Sargento Cabral 2139, CP 3400, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - A.P. Cuzziol Boccioni
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - P.M. Peltzer
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - A.M. Attademo
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - A. Bassó
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - E.J. León
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Conservación de tetrápodos (INALI-UNL- CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN n° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - R.C. Lajmanovich
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Walls SC, Gabor CR. Integrating Behavior and Physiology Into Strategies for Amphibian Conservation. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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5
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Valbon WR, Haddi K, Souza RA, Carvalho GA, Guedes RNC, Martins GF, Oliveira EE. "Armed to the teeth": The multiple ways to survive insecticidal and predatory challenges in Aedes aegypti larvae. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 156:87-95. [PMID: 31027585 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollutants, such as insecticides, can alter the equilibrium of aquatic ecosystems, particularly those closely located to human occupations. The use of such anthropogenic compounds frequently results in the selection of resistant individuals. However, how the underlying insecticide resistance mechanisms interplay with the abilities of the resistant individuals to cope with other environmental challenges (e.g., predators) has not received adequate attention. Here, we evaluated whether resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in larvae of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), would affect their abilities to survive other environmental challenges. We assessed the susceptibilities of the pyrethroid-resistant larvae to other insecticides (i.e., the oxadiazine indoxacarb and juvenile hormone mimic pyriproxyfen) and determined the activities of potential detoxification enzymes. Finally, we also recorded potential alterations in larva swimming behavior in the presence of predators, such as the water bug Belostoma anurum (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae). Our results revealed that high pyrethroid resistance was associated with moderate resistance to the other two insecticides. Furthermore, this multiple resistance was associated with higher detoxification activity by glutathione-S-transferases and general esterases. Interestingly, in comparison with insecticide-susceptible larvae, the pyrethroid-resistant larvae not only swam for longer periods and distances, but also took longer to be captured by B. anurum nymphs. Collectively, our findings revealed increased abilities to survive natural environmental challenges (e.g., predatory attacks) in mosquito larvae that express physiological and behavioral changes associated with multiple resistance to insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson R Valbon
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Khalid Haddi
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | - Ryan A Souza
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Gislaine A Carvalho
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Raul Narciso C Guedes
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Gustavo F Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Eugênio E Oliveira
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
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6
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Relyea RA. The interactive effects of predator stress, predation, and the herbicide Roundup. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rick A. Relyea
- Department of Biological Sciences Darrin Fresh Water Institute Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy New York 12980 USA
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Sievers M, Hale R, Swearer SE, Parris KM. Contaminant mixtures interact to impair predator-avoidance behaviours and survival in a larval amphibian. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 161:482-488. [PMID: 29913416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Global declines in amphibian populations are a significant conservation concern, and environmental contamination is likely a contributing driver. Although direct toxicity may be partly responsible, contaminants are often present at sub-lethal concentrations in the wild. Behavioural end-points are becoming an increasingly useful method to estimate the impact of contaminants, particularly if the behavioural responses manifest to affect individual fitness (i.e. survival, growth, or reproduction). In the wild, most animals are affected by multiple stressors, and determining how these interact to affect behaviour is critical for understanding the ecological implications of contaminant exposure. Here, we examined the individual and interactive effect of the heavy metal copper and the insecticide imidacloprid on mortality rates and anti-predator behaviours of spotted marsh frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) tadpoles. This common species frequently occupies and breeds in contaminated stormwater and agricultural wetlands, where copper and imidacloprid are often present. These contaminants may alter behaviour via physiological and neurological pathways, as well as affecting how tadpoles respond to chemical cues. Tadpoles suffered unexpectedly high mortality rates when exposed to imidacloprid concentrations well below published LC50 concentrations. Only unexposed tadpoles significantly avoided predator cues. Copper and imidacloprid reduced swimming speed and distance, and escape responses, while increasing erratic swimming. We observed an interactive effect of imidacloprid and copper on erratic swimming, but in general imidacloprid and copper did not act synergistically. Our results suggest that as contaminants enter waterbodies, tadpoles will suffer considerable direct mortality, reduced foraging capacity, and increased susceptibility to predation. Our results provide the first evidence of imidacloprid affecting amphibian behaviour, and highlight both the adverse effects of copper and imidacloprid, and the importance of exploring the effect of multiple contaminants simultaneously.
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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
| | - Stephen E Swearer
- 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
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8
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Heerema JL, Helbing CC, Pyle GG. Use of electro-olfactography to measure olfactory acuity in the North American bullfrog (Lithobates (Rana) catesbeiana) tadpole. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 147:643-647. [PMID: 28926819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction is an important sense for aquatic organisms because it provides information about their surroundings, including nearby food, mates, and predators. Electro-olfactography (EOG) is an electrophysiological technique that measures the response of olfactory tissue to olfactory stimuli, and responses are indicative of olfactory acuity. Previous studies have used this technique on a variety of species including frogs, salamanders, daphniids and, most extensively, fish. In the present study, we introduce a novel modified EOG method for use on Lithobates (Rana) catesbeiana tadpoles. Responses to a number of olfactory stimuli including amino acids, an algal extract (Spirulina), and taurocholic acid were tested, as measured by EOG. Tadpoles exhibited consistent and reliable responses to L-alanine and Spirulina extract. Tadpoles also exhibited concentration-dependent responses to Spirulina extract. These findings indicate that tadpole EOG is a viable electrophysiology technique that can be used in future research to study olfactory physiology and impairment in tadpoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody L Heerema
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1K 6T5.
| | - Caren C Helbing
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8P 5C2.
| | - Greg G Pyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1K 6T5.
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9
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Koprivnikar J, Urichuk T, Szuroczki D. Influences of habitat and arthropod density on parasitism in two co-occurring host taxa. CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Habitat attributes are known to influence infectious diseases such as those caused by parasites, but most studies have only considered single host and (or) parasite taxa, making it difficult to assess which features may be of general importance and to predict how alterations could affect disease dynamics. We examined infection with trematode (flatworm) parasites in two commonly co-occurring host taxa (larval amphibians and larval odonates (dragonflies and damselflies)) to investigate links with landscape-level features, including agricultural activity. We also assessed pond community composition with respect to the abundance and richness of aquatic arthropods known to prey upon tadpoles and (or) free-swimming trematode infectious stages. Larval amphibians from agricultural sites were most likely to be parasitized but had lower infection intensities, and infected hosts were positively associated with increasing distance to the nearest forest habitat, but negatively with road distance. The opposite was observed for larval odonate infection status; however, probability and intensity of parasitism in both host taxa was negatively associated with greater predatory arthropod abundance, consistent with the “dilution effect” of biodiversity on infectious diseases. Our approach demonstrates the importance of considering multiple host taxa when studying habitat links to diseases, and future studies incorporating even greater diversity will be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Koprivnikar
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - T.M.Y. Urichuk
- Department of Biology, Brandon University, John R. Brodie Science Centre, 270 – 18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9, Canada
| | - D. Szuroczki
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada
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Polo-Cavia N, Burraco P, Gomez-Mestre I. Low levels of chemical anthropogenic pollution may threaten amphibians by impairing predator recognition. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 172:30-35. [PMID: 26765086 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that direct mortality and physiological effects caused by pollutants are major contributing factors to global amphibian decline. However, even sublethal concentrations of pollutants could be harmful if they combined with other factors to cause high mortality in amphibians. Here we show that sublethal concentrations of pollutants can disrupt the ability of amphibian larvae to recognize predators, hence increasing their risk of predation. This effect is indeed much more important since very low amounts of pollutants are ubiquitous, and environmental efforts are mostly directed towards preventing lethal spills. We analyzed the effects of two common contaminants (humic acid and ammonium nitrate) on the ability of tadpoles of the western spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes) to recognize chemical cues from a common predator, nymphs of the dragonfly Anax imperator. We compared the swimming activity of tadpoles in the presence and absence of water-borne chemical cues from dragonflies at different concentrations of humic acid and ammonium nitrate. Tadpoles reduced swimming activity in response to predator cues in the absence of pollutants, whereas they remained unresponsive to these cues when either humic acid or ammonium nitrate was added to the water, even at low concentrations. Moreover, changes in tadpole activity associated with the pollutants themselves were non-significant, indicating no toxic effect. Alteration of the natural chemical environment of aquatic systems by pollutants may be an important contributing cause for declines in amphibian populations, even at sublethal concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Polo-Cavia
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pablo Burraco
- Ecology, Evolution, and Development Group, Department of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, E-41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Ivan Gomez-Mestre
- Ecology, Evolution, and Development Group, Department of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, E-41092 Seville, Spain.
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11
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Belgrad BA, Griffen BD. The Influence of Diet Composition on Fitness of the Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0145481. [PMID: 26784581 PMCID: PMC4718683 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological condition and fecundity of an organism is frequently controlled by diet. As changes in environmental conditions often cause organisms to alter their foraging behavior, a comprehensive understanding of how diet influences the fitness of an individual is central to predicting the effect of environmental change on population dynamics. We experimentally manipulated the diet of the economically and ecologically important blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, to approximate the effects of a dietary shift from primarily animal to plant tissue, a phenomenon commonly documented in crabs. Crabs whose diet consisted exclusively of animal tissue had markedly lower mortality and consumed substantially more food than crabs whose diet consisted exclusively of seaweed. The quantity of food consumed had a significant positive influence on reproductive effort and long-term energy stores. Additionally, seaweed diets produced a three-fold decrease in hepatopancreas lipid content and a simultaneous two-fold increase in crab aggression when compared to an animal diet. Our results reveal that the consumption of animal tissue substantially enhanced C. sapidus fitness, and suggest that a dietary shift to plant tissue may reduce crab population growth by decreasing fecundity as well as increasing mortality. This study has implications for C. sapidus fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A. Belgrad
- School of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, Marine Science Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Blaine D. Griffen
- School of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, Marine Science Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
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12
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Pérez-Iglesias JM, Soloneski S, Nikoloff N, Natale GS, Larramendy ML. Toxic and genotoxic effects of the imazethapyr-based herbicide formulation Pivot H® on montevideo tree frog Hypsiboas pulchellus tadpoles (Anura, Hylidae). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 119:15-24. [PMID: 25966333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Acute lethal and sublethal toxicity of the imidazolinone imazethapyr (IMZT)-based commercial formulation herbicide Pivot H® (10.59% IMZT) was evaluated on Hypsiboas pulchellus tadpoles. Whereas mortality was used as the end point for lethality, frequency of micronuclei (MNs) and other nuclear abnormalities as well as DNA single-strand breaks evaluated by the single cell gel electrophoresis assay were employed to test genotoxicity. Behavioral, growth, developmental, and morphological abnormalities were also employed as sublethal end points. Mortality studies revealed equivalent LC50 (96h) values of 1.49mg/L (confidence limit, 1.09-1.63) and 1.55mg/L (confidence limit, 1.51-1.60) IMZT for Gosner stage (GS) 25 and GS36, respectively. Behavioral changes, i.e., irregular swimming and immobility, as well as a decreased frequency of keratodonts were observed. The herbicide increased the frequency of MNs in circulating erythrocytes of tadpoles exposed for 48h to the highest concentration assayed (1.17mg/L). However, regardless of the concentration of the herbicide assayed, an enhanced frequency of MNs was observed in tadpoles exposed for 96h. The herbicide was able to induce other nuclear abnormalities, i.e., blebbed and notched nuclei, only when tadpoles were exposed for 96h. In addition, we observed that exposure to IMZT within the 0.39-1.17mg/L range increased the genetic damage index in treatments lasting for both 48 and 96h. This study represents the first evidence of acute lethal and sublethal effects exerted by IMZT on amphibians. Finally, our findings highlight the properties of this herbicide that jeopardize nontarget living species exposed to IMZT.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Pérez-Iglesias
- Cátedra de Citología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 64 N° 3, B1904AMA La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S Soloneski
- Cátedra de Citología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 64 N° 3, B1904AMA La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - N Nikoloff
- Cátedra de Citología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 64 N° 3, B1904AMA La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G S Natale
- Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente (CIMA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M L Larramendy
- Cátedra de Citología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 64 N° 3, B1904AMA La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Stechert C, Kolb M, Rödel MO, Bahadir M. Effects of insecticide formulations used in cotton cultivation in West Africa on the development of flat-backed toad tadpoles (Amietophrynus maculatus). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:2574-2583. [PMID: 25192667 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3462-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In the West African savanna zone, traditional subsistence farming increasingly shifts to cash crop farming and in particular to cotton cultivation, which is accompanied by application of pesticides. Increasing use of pesticides by smallholder farmers is suspected to have negative effects on non-target organisms. In this study, possible pesticide impact on the development of tadpoles was investigated. Two insecticide formulations used in cotton cultivation in Benin were compared: Cotofan® (active ingredient (a.i.): α- and β-endosulfan) and Tihan® (a.i.: spirotetramat and flubendiamide). Tadpoles of the widespread species Amietophrynus maculatus were kept in small water basins with increasing insecticide concentrations (1, 10 and 100 μg a.i./L) over a period of 28 days. Tadpoles showed reduced survival at the highest endosulfan concentrations (100 μg/L). Survival of tadpoles undergoing metamorphosis was not influenced by Tihan®. Endosulfan in concentrations of 10 and 100 μg/L negatively impacted the movement of the tadpoles which was not the case for the mixture of spirotetramat and flubendiamide. Time to metamorphosis was not significantly different in the various treatments. Tail length of tadpoles was significantly shorter in Cotofan® treatments compared to controls. Pesticide residues in the tadpoles were relatively low after keeping them in concentrations of 1 and 10 μg a.i./L (25 and 26 μg/kg wet weight (w/w) for the sum of α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan and endosulfan sulphate and below the detection limits for flubendiamide and spirotetramat). For the 100 μg a.i./L treatments, 1,600 μg/kg w/w was found of α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan and endosulfan sulphate together in the survived tadpoles and 21 μg/kg w/w of flubendiamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Stechert
- Institute of Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
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Christenson TA, Horton ME, Jackson BC, Smith GR, Rettig JE. Effects of Cutrine-Plus® algaecide and predators on wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpole survival and growth. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:12472-12478. [PMID: 24943889 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3186-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Copper contamination is increasing in many aquatic ecosystems. One mode by which copper can be introduced into aquatic ecosystems is as an algaecide, such as Cutrine-Plus®. Using a mesocosm experiment, we examined the effects of Cutrine-Plus® on wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles. In addition, we examined how the presence of a nonnative predator the Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) may interact with exposure to Cutrine-Plus®. Exposure to our low and high Cutrine-Plus® treatments had a strong negative effect on the wood frog tadpoles, and survivorship was greatly decreased in the low treatment, and no tadpoles survived in the high treatment. Additionally, the tadpoles that survived the low treatment were significantly smaller than those in the control treatment. Mosquitofish had no effect on the survivorship or growth of wood frog tadpoles, and mosquitofish presence did not have a significant interaction with the Cutrine-Plus® treatments. Cutrine-Plus® clearly had a negative effect on wood frog tadpoles at the concentrations used in our experiment, which were at and below the label-recommended dosages, suggesting that the use of Cutrine-Plus® in natural ponds may have negative consequences for wood frog populations and possibly other amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tia A Christenson
- Department of Biology, Denison University, Granville, OH, 43023, USA
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Hanlon SM, Parris MJ. Previous exposure of predatory fish to a pesticide alters palatability of larval amphibian prey. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2013; 32:2861-2865. [PMID: 24383102 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Habitat preferences of organisms are reliant on a variety of factors. For amphibians specifically, preferences can depend on factors such as food availability, water quality, and the presence of potential predators. Because some amphibians breed in permanent bodies of water (e.g., ponds), the threat of predation (e.g., from fish) is constant. Thus, some amphibians are unpalatable to many predators, allowing them to coexist in the same habitats. However, the addition of anthropogenic stressors (i.e., pesticides) may alter the perceived palatability of prey items to predators. The authors tested the hypothesis that bluegill fish (Lepomis macrochirus), previously exposed to the pesticide carbaryl, would consume more unpalatable prey (Fowler's toad [Anaxyrus fowleri] tadpoles) than unexposed predators. Carbaryl is a pesticide that attacks the nervous system and is linked to taste sense in organisms. Moreover, the authors conducted an identical test using palatable prey (gray treefrog [Hyla versicolor] tadpoles) and predicted that no change in preference would be observed. In support of the primary hypothesis, bluegill exposed to the highest concentration of carbaryl consumed more A. fowleri tadpoles compared with those exposed to carbaryl at the lowest concentration or water control. Moreover, an effect of carbaryl on predation success on H. versicolor tadpoles was not observed. The present study shows that an anthropogenic stressor (carbaryl) can alter the perceived palatability of noxious prey to fish predators, potentially altering predator-prey relationships in natural settings.
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