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Ballestero E, Bolaños F, Ruepert C, Jiménez RR, Bonilla F, Sasa M. Immunological and physiological responses to predation risk and sublethal concentrations of chlorothalonil and β-endosulfan in Lithobates taylori (Anura: Ranidae) tadpoles. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 275:107071. [PMID: 39236548 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.107071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Pesticide exposure and its interaction with other natural stressors can play a role in amphibian population declines because disruptions in stress hormone regulatory mechanisms may inhibit immune responses during metamorphosis. Here, we determined the interactive effects of predation risk and sublethal concentration of two pesticides on immunological and physiological responses in tadpoles of the tropical frog Lithobates taylori. Using mesocosms, we used chronic exposure to three levels of chlorothalonil and β-endosulfan in the presence or absence of Odonate larvae. Our results show that β-endosulfan in high concentrations reduced the weight of the tadpoles and increased the neutrophil count and corticosterone (CORT) levels. Larval development was accelerated by high concentrations of chlorothalonil. Also, this pesticide in low and high concentrations increases the absolute values of lymphocytes. Tadpoles exposed to chlorothalonil increased the numbers of monocytes (in low concentrations), and lymphocytes (in high and low concentrations). The interactions of the low concentrations of both pesticides with and without the predator's presence also increased the number of lymphocytes. A combination of pesticides increases the number of lymphocytes in the blood due to synergistic cytotoxicity. This study proves that β- endosulfan elevates circulating CORT and thus generates physiological stress in tadpoles. Given that both pesticides are widely used within the distribution of L. taylori in Costa Rica, it is likely that tadpoles' development and immune function are altered by pesticide use. In combination with stressors such as emerging diseases and altered precipitation regimes, widespread agrochemical uses likely caused this species enigmatic decline in recent decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Ballestero
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 2060, Costa Rica; Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 2060, Costa Rica.
| | - Federico Bolaños
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 2060, Costa Rica
| | - Clemens Ruepert
- Instituto Regional de Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 3000, Costa Rica
| | - Randall R Jiménez
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Fabian Bonilla
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 2060, Costa Rica
| | - Mahmood Sasa
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 2060, Costa Rica; Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 2060, Costa Rica
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Spulber S, Reis L, Alexe P, Ceccatelli S. Decreased activity in zebrafish larvae exposed to glyphosate-based herbicides during development-potential mediation by glucocorticoid receptor. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1397477. [PMID: 39165249 PMCID: PMC11333450 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1397477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are a widely used group of pesticides that have glyphosate (GLY) as main active compound and are used to control a wide range of weeds. Experimental and epidemiological studies point to neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption as main toxic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of developmental exposure to GLY and GBH on locomotor behavior, and the possible contribution of GR-mediated signaling. We used zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae in a continuous exposure regimen to GLY or GBH in the rearing medium. Alongside TL wildtype, we used a mutant line carrying a mutation in the GR which prevents the GR from binding to DNA (grs357), as well as a transgenic strain expressing a variant of enhanced green fluorescent protein (d4eGFP) controlled by a promoter carrying multiple GR response elements (SR4G). We found that acute exposure to GBH, but not GLY, activates GR-mediated signaling. Using a continuous developmental exposure regime, we show that wildtype larvae exposed to GBH display decreased spontaneous activity and attenuated response to environmental stimuli, a pattern of alteration similar to the one observed in grs357 mutant larvae. In addition, developmental exposure to GBH has virtually no effects on the behavior of grs357 mutant larvae. Taken together, our data indicate that developmental exposure to GBH has more pronounced effects than GLY on behavior at 5 dpf, and that interference with GR-mediated signaling may have a relevant contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Spulber
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Anderson D, Cervantez O, Bucciarelli GM, Lambert MR, Friesen MR. Feral frogs, native newts, and chemical cues: identifying threats from and management opportunities for invasive African Clawed Frogs in Washington state. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17307. [PMID: 38742097 PMCID: PMC11090105 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive species threaten biodiversity globally. Amphibians are one of the most threatened vertebrate taxa and are particularly sensitive to invasive species, including other amphibians. African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) are native to Southern Africa but have subsequently become invasive on multiple continents-including multiple parts of North America-due to releases from the pet and biomedical trades. Despite their prevalence as a global invader, the impact of X. laevis remains understudied. This includes the Pacific Northwest of the USA, which now hosts multiple expanding X. laevis populations. For many amphibians, chemical cues communicate important information, including the presence of predators. Here, we tested the role chemical cues may play in mediating interactions between feral X. laevis and native amphibians in the Pacific Northwest. We tested whether native red-legged frog (Rana aurora) tadpoles display an antipredator response to non-native frog (X. laevis) or native newt (rough-skinned newts, Taricha granulosa) predator chemical stimuli. We found that R. aurora tadpoles exhibited pronounced anti-predator responses when exposed to chemical cues from T. granulosa but did not display anti-predator response to invasive X. laevis chemical cues. We also began experimentally testing whether T. granulosa-which produce a powerful neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX)-may elicit an anti-predator response in X. laevis, that could serve to deter co-occupation. However, our short-duration experiments found that X. laevis were attracted to newt chemical stimuli rather than deterred. Our findings show that X. laevis likely poses a threat to native amphibians, and that these native species may also be particularly vulnerable to this invasive predator, compared to native predators, because toxic native newts may not limit X. laevis invasions. Our research provides some of the first indications that native Pacific Northwest species may be threatened by feral X. laevis and provides a foundation for future experiments testing potential management techniques for X. laevis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Anderson
- Department of Biology, Saint Martin’s University, Lacey, WA, USA
| | - Olivia Cervantez
- Department of Biology, Saint Martin’s University, Lacey, WA, USA
| | - Gary M. Bucciarelli
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Max R. Lambert
- Science Division, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA, USA
| | - Megan R. Friesen
- Department of Biology, Saint Martin’s University, Lacey, WA, USA
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O'Dwyer K, Milotic D, Milotic M, Koprivnikar J. Behave yourself: effects of exogenous-glucocorticoid exposure on larval amphibian anti-parasite behaviour and physiology. Oecologia 2024; 205:95-106. [PMID: 38689180 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05547-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Parasites represent a ubiquitous threat for most organisms, requiring potential hosts to invest in a range of strategies to defend against infection-these include both behavioural and physiological mechanisms. Avoidance is an essential first line of defence, but this behaviour may show a trade-off with host investment in physiological immunity. Importantly, while environmental stressors can lead to elevated hormones in vertebrates, such as glucocorticoids, that can reduce physiological immunity in certain contexts, behavioural defences may also be compromised. Here, we investigate anti-parasite behaviour and immune responses against a trematode (flatworm) parasite by larval amphibians (tadpoles) exposed or not to a simulated general stressor in the form of exogenous corticosterone. Tadpoles that were highly active in the presence of the trematode infectious stage (cercariae) had lower infection loads, and parasite loads from tadpoles treated only with dechlorinated water were significantly lower than those exposed to corticosterone or the solvent control. However, treatment did not affect immunity as measured through white blood-cell profiles, and there was no relationship between the latter and anti-parasite behaviour. Our results suggest that a broad range of stressors could increase host susceptibility to infection through altered anti-parasite behaviours if they elevate endogenous glucocorticoids, irrespective of physiological immunity effects. How hosts defend themselves against parasitism in the context of multiple challenges represents an important topic for future research, particularly as the risk posed by infectious diseases is predicted to increase in response to ongoing environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie O'Dwyer
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Atlantic Technological University, Old Dublin Road, Co., Galway, Ireland.
| | - Dino Milotic
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Marin Milotic
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Janet Koprivnikar
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Park JK, Do Y. Current State of Conservation Physiology for Amphibians: Major Research Topics and Physiological Parameters. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3162. [PMID: 37893886 PMCID: PMC10603670 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of physiological responses can be used to assess population health, identify threat factors, and understand mechanisms of stress. In addition to this, conservation physiologists have sought to establish potential management strategies for environmental change and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts. From past to present, the field of conservation physiology is developing in an increasingly broader context. In this review, we aim to categorize the topics covered in conservation physiology research on amphibians and present the measured physiological parameters to provide directions for future research on conservation physiology. Physiological responses of amphibians to environmental stressors are the most studied topic, but conservation physiological studies on metamorphosis, habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, and conservation methods are relatively lacking. A number of physiological indices have been extracted to study amphibian conservation physiology, and the indices have varying strengths of correlation with each subject. Future research directions are suggested to develop a comprehensive monitoring method for amphibians, identify interactions among various stressors, establish physiological mechanisms for environmental factors, and quantify the effects of conservation activities on amphibian physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuno Do
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea;
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Villatoro-Castañeda M, Forsburg ZR, Ortiz W, Fritts SR, Gabor CR, Carlos-Shanley C. Exposure to Roundup and Antibiotics Alters Gut Microbial Communities, Growth, and Behavior in Rana berlandieri Tadpoles. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1171. [PMID: 37759571 PMCID: PMC10525943 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The gut microbiome is important for digestion, host fitness, and defense against pathogens, which provides a tool for host health assessment. Amphibians and their microbiomes are highly susceptible to pollutants including antibiotics. We explored the role of an unmanipulated gut microbiome on tadpole fitness and phenotype by comparing tadpoles of Rana berlandieri in a control group (1) with tadpoles exposed to: (2) Roundup® (glyphosate active ingredient), (3) antibiotic cocktail (enrofloxacin, sulfamethazine, trimethoprim, streptomycin, and penicillin), and (4) a combination of Roundup and antibiotics. Tadpoles in the antibiotic and combination treatments had the smallest dorsal body area and were the least active compared to control and Roundup-exposed tadpoles, which were less active than control tadpoles. The gut microbial community significantly changed across treatments at the alpha, beta, and core bacterial levels. However, we did not find significant differences between the antibiotic- and combination-exposed tadpoles, suggesting that antibiotic alone was enough to suppress growth, change behavior, and alter the gut microbiome composition. Here, we demonstrate that the gut microbial communities of tadpoles are sensitive to environmental pollutants, namely Roundup and antibiotics, which may have consequences for host phenotype and fitness via altered behavior and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Villatoro-Castañeda
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; (M.V.-C.); (Z.R.F.); (W.O.); (S.R.F.); (C.C.-S.)
| | - Zachery R. Forsburg
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; (M.V.-C.); (Z.R.F.); (W.O.); (S.R.F.); (C.C.-S.)
- Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Dr., Venus, FL 33960, USA
| | - Whitney Ortiz
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; (M.V.-C.); (Z.R.F.); (W.O.); (S.R.F.); (C.C.-S.)
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Sarah R. Fritts
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; (M.V.-C.); (Z.R.F.); (W.O.); (S.R.F.); (C.C.-S.)
| | - Caitlin R. Gabor
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; (M.V.-C.); (Z.R.F.); (W.O.); (S.R.F.); (C.C.-S.)
| | - Camila Carlos-Shanley
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; (M.V.-C.); (Z.R.F.); (W.O.); (S.R.F.); (C.C.-S.)
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7
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Üveges B, Kalina C, Szabó K, Móricz ÁM, Holly D, Gabor CR, Hettyey A, Bókony V. Does the Glucocorticoid Stress Response Make Toads More Toxic? An Experimental Study on the Regulation of Bufadienolide Toxin Synthesis. Integr Org Biol 2023; 5:obad021. [PMID: 37435008 PMCID: PMC10331804 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obad021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical defense is a crucial component of fitness in many organisms, yet the physiological regulation of defensive toxin synthesis is poorly understood, especially in vertebrates. Bufadienolides, the main defensive compounds of toads, are toxic to many predators and other natural enemies, and their synthesis can be upregulated by stressors, including predation risk, high conspecific density, and pollutants. Thus, higher toxin content may be the consequence of a general endocrine stress response in toads. Therefore, we hypothesized that bufadienolide synthesis may be stimulated by elevated levels of corticosterone (CORT), the main glucocorticoid hormone of amphibians, or by upstream regulators that stimulate CORT production. To test these alternatives, we treated common toad tadpoles with exogenous CORT (exoCORT) or metyrapone (MTP, a CORT-synthesis inhibitor that stimulates upstream regulators of CORT by negative feedback) in the presence or absence of predation cues for 2 or 6 days, and subsequently measured their CORT release rates and bufadienolide content. We found that CORT release rates were elevated by exoCORT, and to a lesser extent also by MTP, regardless of treatment length. Bufadienolide content was significantly decreased by treatment with exoCORT for 6 days but was unaffected by exposure to exoCORT for 2 days or to MTP for either 6 or 2 days. The presence or absence of predation cues affected neither CORT release rate nor bufadienolide content. Our results suggest that changes in bufadienolide synthesis in response to environmental challenges are not driven by CORT but may rather be regulated by upstream hormones of the stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Üveges
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, 1022 Budapest, Hungary
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - C Kalina
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, 1022 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - K Szabó
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department for Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Móricz Zsigmond út 22, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Á M Móricz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, 1022 Budapest, Hungary
| | - D Holly
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, 1022 Budapest, Hungary
| | - C R Gabor
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, 1022 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Engineering, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - A Hettyey
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, 1022 Budapest, Hungary
| | - V Bókony
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, 1022 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
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Orford JT, Tan H, Tingley R, Alton LA, Wong BBM, Martin JM. Bigger and bolder: Widespread agricultural pollutant 17β-trenbolone increases growth and alters behaviour in tadpoles (Litoria ewingii). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 260:106577. [PMID: 37207487 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals-compounds that directly interfere with the endocrine system of exposed animals-are insidious environmental pollutants that can disrupt hormone function, even at very low concentrations. The dramatic impacts that some endocrine-disrupting chemicals can have on the reproductive development of wildlife are well documented. However, the potential of endocrine-disrupting chemicals to disrupt animal behaviour has received far less attention, despite the important links between behavioural processes and population-level fitness. Accordingly, we investigated the impacts of 14 and 21-day exposure to two environmentally realistic levels of 17β-trenbolone (4.6 and 11.2 ng/L), a potent endocrine-disrupting steroid and agricultural pollutant, on growth and behaviour in tadpoles of an anuran amphibian, the southern brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii). We found that 17β-trenbolone altered morphology, baseline activity and responses to a predatory threat, but did not affect anxiety-like behaviours in a scototaxis assay. Specifically, we found that tadpoles exposed to our high-17β-trenbolone treatment were significantly longer and heavier at 14 and 21 days. We also found that tadpoles exposed to 17β-trenbolone showed higher levels of baseline activity, and significantly reduced their activity following a simulated predator strike. These results provide insights into the wider repercussions of agricultural pollutants on key developmental and behavioural traits in aquatic species, and demonstrate the importance of behavioural studies in the ecotoxicological field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack T Orford
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Hung Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Reid Tingley
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia; EnviroDNA, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lesley A Alton
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Geometric Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jake M Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish Universityof Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Monroe DJ, Barny LA, Wu A, Minbiole KPC, Gabor CR. An integrated physiological perspective on anthropogenic stressors in the Gulf coast toad (Incilius nebulifer). Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1112982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic environmental change, including climate change and urbanization, results in warmer temperatures in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats and changes in community assemblages including invasive species introductions, among many other alterations. Anurans are particularly susceptible to these changes because generally they have a biphasic lifecycle and rely on aquatic and terrestrial habitats for survival. Changes such as warmer water temperature can result in direct and carryover effects, after metamorphosis that decrease fitness. However, Gulf Coast toads (Incilius (Bufo) nebulifer) are expanding their range, including into anthropogenically disturbed areas. We hypothesize that I. nebulifer copes with warmer water, reduced water levels, and invasive species by altering their physiology and/or behavior. Corticosterone is the primary glucocorticoid in amphibians, and it modulates many aspects of physiology and behavior, potentially including lipid storage and hop performance, during unpredictable (stressful) events. As a true toad, I. nebulifer also produces bufadienolide toxins that aid in its antipredator defense and may have tradeoffs with corticosterone. In a fully factorial design, we measured baseline corticosterone levels in tadpoles in response to two treatments: decreased water levels and increased water temperatures. After metamorphosis, we measured the corticosterone profile and other associated responses to exposure to the predatory red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta; RIFA). We found that tadpoles had elevated baseline corticosterone release rates when reared in warmer water and reduced water levels. Toadlets also had elevated baseline corticosterone release rates when exposed to any combination of two of the three treatments but when exposed to all three treatments toadlets instead showed elevated magnitude of their stress response. Predator avoidance (as measured by hop performance) was reduced after exposure to RIFA. Tadpoles from warmer water developed more quickly and were smaller in mass after metamorphosis. Toadlets had reduced production of two of the three detected bufadienolides and increased energy storage (lipids) after exposure to warmer water and reduced growth after exposure to reduced water levels. We found direct and carryover effects of common anthropogenic changes in I. nebulifer that may aid in their ability to persist despite these changes.
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Ruthsatz K, Eterovick PC, Bartels F, Mausbach J. Contributions of water-borne corticosterone as one non-invasive biomarker in assessing nitrate pollution stress in tadpoles of Rana temporaria. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 331:114164. [PMID: 36400158 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Among a multitude of stressors to which wildlife is exposed, environmental pollution is a pervasive one that poses a serious threat. The permeable skin of amphibians is likely to increase direct contact of the body with pollutants, making them a group worth studying to access environmental quality. Consequently, finding reliable and complementary biomarkers that will present detectable and predictable changes in response to pollutants is essential to identify pollution sublethal effects on amphibians and to investigate whether these are in part responsible for population declines. The glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone (CORT), involved in many metabolic functions, is often used to measure the physiological stress response to environmental stressors in amphibians. In this study, we evaluated whether water-borne CORT can serve as a non-invasive biomarker for nitrate pollution stress in the European common frog (Rana temporaria) by comparing the effect of nitrate exposure on hormone release rates and on other physiological downstream biomarkers, i.e., ultimate physiological effects of the stressor. Specifically, we investigated the effect of different nitrate concentrations (0, 10, 50, and 100 mg/L) on water-borne CORT release rates, age, size, and body condition. Exposure to nitrate pollution significantly increased age at metamorphosis and water-borne CORT release rates, and led to reduced mass and body condition, but only at higher nitrate concentrations (i.e., 50 and 100 mg/L). Considering this similar sensitivity to other acknowledged biomarkers, water-borne CORT was a reliable biomarker of physiological stress in R. temporaria exposed to nitrate pollution stress in a controlled single-stressor laboratory approach. Thus, water-borne CORT is a promising method to be included in more holistic approaches. We recommend that such approaches keep testing multiple biomarker combinations, as species are exposed to several stressors likely to interact and produce varied outcomes in different biomarkers in their natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Ruthsatz
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Paula C Eterovick
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Fabian Bartels
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jelena Mausbach
- Eawag & ETH Zurich,Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
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Cuzziol Boccioni AP, Lener G, Peluso J, Peltzer PM, Attademo AM, Aronzon C, Simoniello MF, Demonte LD, Repetti MR, Lajmanovich RC. Comparative assessment of individual and mixture chronic toxicity of glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium on amphibian tadpoles: A multibiomarker approach. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136554. [PMID: 36174726 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the ecotoxicity of glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium mixtures on amphibian tadpoles and the potential impact of mixture in aquatic ecosystems health. The bonding properties of the mixture based on computational chemistry and an experimental bioassay on morphology, DNA damage and biochemical biomarkers on tadpoles of the common toad Rhinella arenarum were studied. The results of the density functional theory analysis showed trends of the pesticides clustering to form exothermic mixtures, suggesting the likelihood of hot-spots of pesticides in real aquatic systems. In addition, biological effects of individual pesticides and the mixture were studied on tadpoles over 45 days-chronic bioassay. The bioassay consisted of four treatments: a negative control (CO), 2.5 mg L-1 of a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH), 2.5 mg L-1 of a glufosinate ammonium-based herbicide (GABH) and their 50:50 (% v/v) mixture (GBH-GABH). Morphological abnormality rates were significantly higher in all herbicide treatments with respect to CO at 48 h of exposure. Abdominal edema was the most frequent type of abnormality recorded at 48 h, 10 and 45 days of exposure. DNA damage was recorded in all herbicides treatments. Thyroxin increased only in GABH treatment. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) significantly increased in GBH treatment, indicating a GBH-neurotoxic effect. Glutathione S-transferase decreased in GABH and GBH-GABH treatments, while catalase decreased in individual GBH and GABH treatments. Overall, teratogenicity, DNA damage, hormonal disruption (T4), and oxidative stress were greater in GABH-treated tadpoles than GBH-treated tadpoles. This study also highlights the robust chemical interaction between the active ingredients of both herbicides, which is reflected on antagonisms in most of analyzed biomarkers, as well as potentiation and additivity in others. Based on our results, the GABH had a higher toxicity than GBH for amphibian tadpoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P Cuzziol Boccioni
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - German Lener
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-Química de Córdoba-CONICET. Departamento de Química Teórica y Computacional. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Peluso
- Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Escuela de Hábitat y Sostenibilidad (IIIA-UNSAM)-CONICET, Campus Miguelete, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola M Peltzer
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés M Attademo
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Aronzon
- Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Escuela de Hábitat y Sostenibilidad (IIIA-UNSAM)-CONICET, Campus Miguelete, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María F Simoniello
- Cátedra de Toxicología, Farmacología y Bioquímica Legal, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Luisina D Demonte
- Programa de Investigación y Análisis de Residuos y Contaminantes Químicos. Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María R Repetti
- Programa de Investigación y Análisis de Residuos y Contaminantes Químicos. Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Rafael C Lajmanovich
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Tan M, Li Y, Xu J, Yan S, Jiang D. Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Colonized Populus alba × P. berolinensis Seedlings on the Microbial and Metabolic Status of Gypsy Moth Larvae. INSECTS 2022; 13:1002. [PMID: 36354825 PMCID: PMC9697668 DOI: 10.3390/insects13111002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are considered as important biological factors that can affect insect resistance of plants. Herein, we used AMF-poplar seedlings that could either increase or decrease the resistance to gypsy moth larvae, to elucidate the mechanism of mycorrhizal-induced insect resistance/susceptibility at the larval microbial and metabolic levels. Our results found that larval plant consumption and growth were significantly inhibited in the Glomus mossae (GM)-colonized seedlings, whereas they were enhanced in the Glomus intraradices (GI)-colonized seedlings. GM inoculation reduced the beneficial bacteria abundance in the larval gut and inhibited the detoxification and metabolic functions of gut microbiota. However, GI inoculation improved the larval gut environment by decreasing the pathogenic bacteria and activating specific metabolic pathways. Furthermore, GM inoculation triggers a metabolic disorder in the larval fat body, accompanied by the suppression of detoxification and energy production pathways. The levels of differentially accumulated metabolites related to amino acid synthesis and metabolism and exogenous toxin metabolism pathways were significantly increased in the GI group. Taken together, the disadaptation of gypsy moth larvae to leaves of GM-colonized seedlings led to the GM-induced insect resistance in poplar, and to the GI-induced insect susceptibility involved in the improvement of larval gut environment and fat body energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingtao Tan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yaning Li
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jinsheng Xu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Shanchun Yan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Dun Jiang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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Cha ES, Uhrin MT, McClelland SJ, Woodley SK. Brain plasticity in response to short-term exposure to corticosterone in larval amphibians. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to stressors and elevation of glucocorticoid hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) has widespread effects on vertebrate brain development. Previous studies have shown that exposure to environmental stressors alters larval amphibian brain morphology and behavior, yet the effects of CORT on amphibian brain morphology are still unknown. We exposed prometamorphic Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens (Schreber, 1782)) tadpoles for 7 days to a concentration of exogenous CORT (45.56 μg/L) that produced physiologically relevant increases in plasma CORT. This brief exposure to CORT, relatively late in development, resulted in a significantly larger diencephalon width (relative to body mass) when compared with controls. Although we were unable to detect changes in behavior or body morphology, our results indicate that brain shape is modulated by exposure to CORT. More studies are needed to better understand what accounts for the CORT-induced change in brain shape as well as the functional consequences of these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S. Cha
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Madison T. Uhrin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Sara J. McClelland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA 18018, USA
| | - Sarah K. Woodley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
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Tornabene BJ, Hossack BR, Crespi EJ, Breuner CW. Evaluating corticosterone as a biomarker for amphibians exposed to increased salinity and ambient corticosterone. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab049. [PMID: 34249364 PMCID: PMC8254138 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Physiological biomarkers are commonly used to assess the health of taxa exposed to natural and anthropogenic stressors. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are often used as indicators of physiological stress in wildlife because they affect growth, reproduction and survival. Increased salinity from human activities negatively influences amphibians and their corticosterone (CORT; the main amphibian GC) physiology; therefore, CORT could be a useful biomarker. We evaluated whether waterborne CORT could serve as a biomarker of salt stress for three free-living amphibian species that vary in their sensitivity to salinity: boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata), northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) and barred tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium). Across a gradient of contamination from energy-related saline wastewaters, we tested the effects of salinity on baseline and stress-induced waterborne CORT of larvae. Stress-induced, but not baseline, CORT of leopard frogs increased with increasing salinity. Salinity was not associated with baseline or stress-induced CORT of chorus frogs or tiger salamanders. Associations between CORT and salinity were also not related to species-specific sensitivities to salinity. However, we detected background environmental CORT (ambient CORT) in all wetlands and spatial variation was high within and among wetlands. Higher ambient CORT was associated with lower waterborne CORT of larvae in wetlands. Therefore, ambient CORT likely confounded associations between waterborne CORT and salinity in our analysis and possibly influenced physiology of larvae. We hypothesize that larvae may passively take up CORT from their environment and downregulate endogenous CORT. Although effects of some hormones (e.g. oestrogen) and endocrine disruptors on aquatic organisms are well described, studies investigating the occurrence and effects of ambient CORT are limited. We provide suggestions to improve collection methods, reduce variability and avoid confounding effects of ambient CORT. By making changes to methodology, waterborne CORT could still be a promising, non-invasive conservation tool to evaluate effects of salinity on amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Erica J Crespi
- School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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Forsburg ZR, Guzman A, Gabor CR. Artificial light at night (ALAN) affects the stress physiology but not the behavior or growth of Rana berlandieri and Bufo valliceps. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 277:116775. [PMID: 33639600 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) alters the natural light dark patterns in ecosystems. ALAN can have a suite of effects on community structure and is a driver of evolutionary processes that influences a range of behavioral and physiological traits. Our understanding of possible effects of ALAN across species amphibians is lacking and research is warranted as ALAN could contribute to stress and declines of amphibian populations, particularly in urban areas. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to constant light or pulsed ALAN would physiologically stress Rio Grande leopard frog (Rana berlandieri) and Gulf Coast toad (Bufo valliceps) tadpoles. We reared tadpoles under constant or pulsed (on and off again) ALAN for 14 days and measured corticosterone release rates over time using a non-invasive water-borne hormone protocol. ALAN treatments did not affect behavior or growth. Tadpoles of both species had higher corticosterone (cort) release rates after 14 days of constant light exposure. Leopard frog tadpoles had lower cort release rates after exposure to pulsed ALAN while toad tadpoles had higher cort release rates. These results suggest that short-term exposure to constant or pulsed light at night may contribute to stress in tadpoles but that each species differentially modulated their cort response to ALAN exposure and a subsequent stressor. This flexibility in the upregulation and downregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis response may indicate an alternative mechanism for diminishing the deleterious effects of chronic stress. Nonetheless, ALAN should be considered in management and conservation plans for amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachery R Forsburg
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA.
| | - Alex Guzman
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA
| | - Caitlin R Gabor
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA
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Samanta P, Pal S, Mukherjee AK, Ghosh AR. Acute toxicity assessment of arsenic, chromium and almix 20WP in Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis tadpoles. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 191:110209. [PMID: 31954216 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110209] [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: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals and herbicide are gaining serious environmental concern in aquatic toxicology due to its adverse effects on aquatic organisms especially amphibians. Accordingly, present study first time evaluated the acute toxicity of two heavy metals [arsenic (As3+) and chromium (Cr6+)] and a herbicide (Almix) to Indian skittering frog tadpole, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis. The LC50 values of As, Cr and Almix for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h were 73.58, 56.31, 43.58 and 32.58 mg L-1; 326.68, 224.31, 171.92 and 141.99 mg L-1; and 1297.85, 1148.22, 1033.62 and 955.17 mg L-1, respectively. It also revealed the concentration- and time-dependent increased mortality rate under these toxicants. The safety concentrations (SC) of As, Cr and Almix to tadpoles were 3.26, 14.20 and 95.52 mg L-1, respectively. The findings disclosed that As is highly toxic to E. cyanophlyctis than Cr and Almix. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity showed varied responses to exposed chemicals. In particularly, ALP activity reduced significantly for Cr treatment. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in E. cyanophlyctis was significantly inhibited by As treatment (p < 0.05); however, GST activity was remain unchanged for Cr and Almix (p > 0.05). The As toxicity correlates positively with GST inhibition (r = 0.779, p < 0.01); contrarily, Cr and Almix revealed negative correlation with GST induction (r = -0.461 and -0.19, respectively; p > 0.05). This result indicated that GST play a crucial role for regulating the tadpole mortality and intoxication by As, Cr and Almix. Overall, our findings demonstrate the different levels of toxic sensitivity (adverse effects) under different toxicants on E. cyanophlyctis tadpoles. Finally, the present findings could be used as baseline information of toxicosis for metalloid, heavy metal and herbicide exposures in wild frog populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palas Samanta
- Department of Environmental Science, Sukanta Mahavidyalaya, Dhupguri, West Bengal, India
| | - Sandipan Pal
- Department of Environmental Science, Aghorekamini Prakashchandra Mahavidyalaya, India
| | | | - Apurba Ratan Ghosh
- Ecotoxicology Lab, Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, India.
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Narayan EJ, Forsburg ZR, Davis DR, Gabor CR. Non-invasive Methods for Measuring and Monitoring Stress Physiology in Imperiled Amphibians. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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