1
|
LaFrance BJ, Ray AM, Fisher RN, Grant EHC, Shafer C, Beamer DA, Spear SF, Pierson TW, Davenport JM, Niemiller ML, Pyron RA, Glorioso BM, Barichivich WJ, Halstead BJ, Roberts KG, Hossack BR. A Dataset of Amphibian Species in U.S. National Parks. Sci Data 2024; 11:32. [PMID: 38177140 PMCID: PMC10767084 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02836-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
National parks and other protected areas are important for preserving landscapes and biodiversity worldwide. An essential component of the mission of the United States (U.S.) National Park Service (NPS) requires understanding and maintaining accurate inventories of species on protected lands. We describe a new, national-scale synthesis of amphibian species occurrence in the NPS system. Many park units have a list of amphibian species observed within their borders compiled from various sources and available publicly through the NPSpecies platform. However, many of the observations in NPSpecies remain unverified and the lists are often outdated. We updated the amphibian dataset for each park unit by collating old and new park-level records and had them verified by regional experts. The new dataset contains occurrence records for 292 of the 424 NPS units and includes updated taxonomy, international and state conservation rankings, hyperlinks to a supporting reference for each record, specific notes, and related fields which can be used to better understand and manage amphibian biodiversity within a single park or group of parks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J LaFrance
- Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative, Jackson, WY, 83001, USA
- National Park Service-Greater Yellowstone Network, Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA
| | - Andrew M Ray
- National Park Service-Southern Plains Network, Pecos, NM, 87552, USA.
| | - Robert N Fisher
- U.S. Geological Survey-Western Ecological Research Center, San Diego, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Evan H Campbell Grant
- U.S. Geological Survey-Eastern Ecological Research Center (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, MA, 01376, USA
| | - Charles Shafer
- U.S. Geological Survey-Eastern Ecological Research Center (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, MA, 01376, USA
| | - David A Beamer
- Office of Research, Economic Development and Engagement, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Stephen F Spear
- U.S. Geological Survey-Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI, 54603, USA
| | - Todd W Pierson
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, USA
| | - Jon M Davenport
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 28608, USA
| | - Matthew L Niemiller
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA
| | - R Alexander Pyron
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20560, USA
| | - Brad M Glorioso
- U.S. Geological Survey-Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA
| | - William J Barichivich
- U.S. Geological Survey-Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA
| | - Brian J Halstead
- U.S. Geological Survey-Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Kory G Roberts
- Arkansas Herpetological Atlas, Bella Vista, AR, 72715, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey-Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center; Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tornabene BJ, Hossack BR, Halstead BJ, Eagles-Smith CA, Adams MJ, Backlin AR, Brand AB, Emery CS, Fisher RN, Fleming J, Glorioso BM, Grear DA, Grant EHC, Kleeman PM, Miller DAW, Muths E, Pearl CA, Rowe JC, Rumrill CT, Waddle JH, Winzeler ME, Smalling KL. Broad-Scale Assessment of Methylmercury in Adult Amphibians. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:17511-17521. [PMID: 37902062 PMCID: PMC10653216 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic contaminant that has been mobilized and distributed worldwide and is a threat to many wildlife species. Amphibians are facing unprecedented global declines due to many threats including contaminants. While the biphasic life history of many amphibians creates a potential nexus for methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in aquatic habitats and subsequent health effects, the broad-scale distribution of MeHg exposure in amphibians remains unknown. We used nonlethal sampling to assess MeHg bioaccumulation in 3,241 juvenile and adult amphibians during 2017-2021. We sampled 26 populations (14 species) across 11 states in the United States, including several imperiled species that could not have been sampled by traditional lethal methods. We examined whether life history traits of species and whether the concentration of total mercury in sediment or dragonflies could be used as indicators of MeHg bioaccumulation in amphibians. Methylmercury contamination was widespread, with a 33-fold difference in concentrations across sites. Variation among years and clustered subsites was less than variation across sites. Life history characteristics such as size, sex, and whether the amphibian was a frog, toad, newt, or other salamander were the factors most strongly associated with bioaccumulation. Total Hg in dragonflies was a reliable indicator of bioaccumulation of MeHg in amphibians (R2 ≥ 0.67), whereas total Hg in sediment was not (R2 ≤ 0.04). Our study, the largest broad-scale assessment of MeHg bioaccumulation in amphibians, highlights methodological advances that allow for nonlethal sampling of rare species and reveals immense variation among species, life histories, and sites. Our findings can help identify sensitive populations and provide environmentally relevant concentrations for future studies to better quantify the potential threats of MeHg to amphibians.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Tornabene
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain
Science Center, Missoula, Montana 59801, United States
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain
Science Center, Missoula, Montana 59801, United States
- Wildlife
Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812, United States
| | - Brian J. Halstead
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research
Center, Dixon, California 95620, United States
| | - Collin A. Eagles-Smith
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Michael J. Adams
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Adam R. Backlin
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research
Center, San Diego, California 92101, United States
| | - Adrianne B. Brand
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center
(Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376, United States
| | - Colleen S. Emery
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Robert N. Fisher
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research
Center, San Diego, California 92101, United States
| | - Jill Fleming
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center
(Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376, United States
| | - Brad M. Glorioso
- U.S.
Geological
Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506, United States
| | - Daniel A. Grear
- U.S.
Geological
Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States
| | - Evan H. Campbell Grant
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center
(Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376, United States
| | - Patrick M. Kleeman
- U.S.
Geological
Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes Station, California 94956, United States
| | - David A. W. Miller
- Department
of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania
State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526, United States
| | - Christopher A. Pearl
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Jennifer C. Rowe
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Caitlin T. Rumrill
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - J. Hardin Waddle
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, Florida 32653, United States
| | - Megan E. Winzeler
- U.S.
Geological
Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States
| | - Kelly L. Smalling
- U.S. Geological
Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tornabene BJ, Hossack BR, Breuner CW. Assay validation of saliva glucocorticoids in Columbia spotted frogs and effects of handling and marking. Conserv Physiol 2023; 11:coad078. [PMID: 38026797 PMCID: PMC10660366 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive methods are important to the field of conservation physiology to reduce negative effects on organisms being studied. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are often used to assess health of individuals, but collection methods can be invasive. Many amphibians are imperiled worldwide, and saliva is a non- or semi-invasive matrix to measure GCs that has been partially validated for only four amphibian species. Validation ensures that assays are reliable and can detect changes in saliva corticosterone (sCORT) after exposure to stressors, but it is also necessary to ensure sCORT concentrations are correlated with plasma concentrations. To help validate the use of saliva in assessing CORT responses in amphibians, we captured uniquely marked Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) on sequential days and collected baseline and stress-induced (after handling) samples. For a subset of individuals, we collected and quantified CORT in both saliva and blood samples, which have not been compared for amphibians. We tested several aspects of CORT responses and, by collecting across separate days, measured repeatability of CORT responses across days. We also evaluated whether methods common to amphibian conservation, such as handling alone or handling, clipping a toe and tagging elevated sCORT. Similar to previous studies, we show that sCORT is reliable concerning parallelism, recovery, precision and sensitivity. sCORT was weakly correlated with plasma CORT (R2 = 0.21), and we detected elevations in sCORT after handling, demonstrating biological validation. Toe clipping and tagging did not increase sCORT over handling alone, but repeated handling elevated sCORT for ~72 hours. However, sCORT responses were highly variable and repeatability was low within individuals and among capture sessions, contrary to previous studies with urinary and waterborne CORT. sCORT is a semi-invasive and rapid technique that could be useful to assess effects of anthropogenic change and conservation efforts, but will require careful study design and future validation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tornabene BJ, Smalling KL, Givens CE, Oja EB, Hossack BR. Energy-related wastewater contamination alters microbial communities of sediment, water, and amphibian skin. Sci Total Environ 2023; 880:163160. [PMID: 37003337 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
To inform responsible energy development, it is important to understand the ecological effects of contamination events. Wastewaters, a common byproduct of oil and gas extraction, often contain high concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) and heavy metals (e.g., strontium and vanadium). These constituents can negatively affect aquatic organisms, but there is scarce information for how wastewaters influence potentially distinct microbiomes in wetland ecosystems. Additionally, few studies have concomitantly investigated effects of wastewaters on the habitat (water and sediment) and skin microbiomes of amphibians or relationships among these microbial communities. We sampled microbiomes of water, sediment, and skin of four larval amphibian species across a gradient of chloride contamination (0.04-17,500 mg/L Cl) in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America. We detected 3129 genetic phylotypes and 68 % of those phylotypes were shared among the three sample types. The most common shared phylotypes were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. Salinity of wastewaters increased dissimilarity within all three microbial communities, but not the diversity or richness of water and skin microbial communities. Strontium was associated with lower diversity and richness of sediment microbial communities, but not those of water or amphibian skin, likely because metal deposition occurs in sediment when wetlands dry. Based on Bray Curtis distance matrices, sediment microbiomes were similar to those of water, but neither had substantial overlap with amphibian microbiomes. Species identity was the strongest predictor of amphibian microbiomes; frog microbiomes were similar but differed from that of the salamander, whose microbiome had the lowest richness and diversity. Understanding how effects of wastewaters on the dissimilarity, richness, and diversity of microbial communities also influence the ecosystem function of communities will be an important next step. However, our study provides novel insight into the characteristics of, and associations among, different wetland microbial communities and effects of wastewaters from energy production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
| | - Kelly L Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, 3450 Princeton Pike, Suite 110, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Carrie E Givens
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 5840 Enterprise Drive, Lansing, MI 48911, USA
| | - Emily B Oja
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hossack BR, Oja EB, Owens AK, Hall D, Cobos C, Crawford CL, Goldberg CS, Hedwall S, Howell PE, Lemos-Espinal JA, MacVean SK, McCaffery M, Mosley C, Muths E, Sigafus BH, Sredl MJ, Rorabaugh JC. Empirical evidence for effects of invasive American Bullfrogs on occurrence of native amphibians and emerging pathogens. Ecol Appl 2023; 33:e2785. [PMID: 36478292 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Invasive species and emerging infectious diseases are two of the greatest threats to biodiversity. American Bullfrogs (Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana), which have been introduced to many parts of the world, are often linked with declines in native amphibians via predation and the spread of emerging pathogens such as amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]) and ranaviruses. Although many studies have investigated the potential role of bullfrogs in the decline of native amphibians, analyses that account for shared habitat affinities and imperfect detection have found limited support for clear effects. Similarly, the role of bullfrogs in shaping the patch-level distribution of pathogens is unclear. We used eDNA methods to sample 233 sites in the southwestern USA and Sonora, Mexico (2016-2018) to estimate how the presence of bullfrogs affects the occurrence of four native amphibians, Bd, and ranaviruses. Based on two-species, dominant-subordinate occupancy models fitted in a Bayesian context, federally threatened Chiricahua Leopard Frogs (Rana chiricahuensis) and Western Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium) were eight times (32% vs. 4%) and two times (36% vs. 18%), respectively, less likely to occur at sites where bullfrogs occurred. Evidence for the negative effects of bullfrogs on Lowland Leopard Frogs (Rana yavapaiensis) and Northern Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens) was less clear, possibly because of smaller numbers of sites where these native species still occurred and because bullfrogs often occur at lower densities in streams, the primary habitat for Lowland Leopard Frogs. At the community level, Bd was most likely to occur where bullfrogs co-occurred with native amphibians, which could increase the risk to native species. Ranaviruses were estimated to occur at 33% of bullfrog-only sites, 10% of sites where bullfrogs and native amphibians co-occurred, and only 3% of sites where only native amphibians occurred. Of the 85 sites where we did not detect any of the five target amphibian species, we also did not detect Bd or ranaviruses; this suggests other hosts do not drive the distribution of these pathogens in our study area. Our results provide landscape-scale evidence that bullfrogs reduce the occurrence of native amphibians and increase the occurrence of pathogens, information that can clarify risks and aid the prioritization of conservation actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Emily B Oja
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | | | - David Hall
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Cassidi Cobos
- Turner Endangered Species Fund, Ladder Ranch, Caballo, New Mexico, USA
| | | | | | | | - Paige E Howell
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Cody Mosley
- Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Brent H Sigafus
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tornabene BJ, Crespi EJ, Breuner CW, Hossack BR. Testing whether adrenal steroids mediate phenotypic and physiologic effects of elevated salinity on larval tiger salamanders. Integr Zool 2023; 18:27-44. [PMID: 35848709 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Salinity (sodium chloride, NaCl) from anthropogenic sources is a persistent contaminant that negatively affects freshwater taxa. Amphibians can be susceptible to salinity, but some species are innately or adaptively tolerant. Physiological mechanisms mediating tolerance to salinity are still unclear, but changes in osmoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO) are prime candidates. We exposed larval barred tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium) to environmentally relevant NaCl treatments (<32-4000 mg·L-1 ) for 24 days to test effects on growth, survival, and waterborne CORT responses. Of those sampled, we also quantified waterborne ALDO from a subset. Using a glucocorticoid antagonist (RU486), we also experimentally suppressed CORT signaling of some larvae to determine if CORT mediates effects of salinity. There were no strong differences in survival among salinity treatments, but salinity reduced dry mass, snout-vent length, and body condition while increasing water content of larvae. High survival and sublethal effects demonstrated that salamanders were physiologically challenged but could tolerate the experimental concentrations. CORT signaling did not attenuate sublethal effects of salinity. Baseline and stress-induced (after an acute stressor, shaking) CORT were not influenced by salinity. ALDO was correlated with baseline CORT, suggesting it could be difficult to decouple the roles of CORT and ALDO. Future studies comparing ALDO and CORT responses of adaptively tolerant and previously unexposed populations could be beneficial to understand the roles of these hormones in tolerance to salinity. Nevertheless, our study enhances our understanding of the roles of corticosteroid hormones in mediating effects of a prominent anthropogenic stressor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Erica J Crespi
- School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA.,U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, Montana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hastings TP, Hossack BR, Fishback L, Davenport JM. Using physiological conditions to assess current and future habitat use of a Subarctic frog. Integr Zool 2023; 18:2-14. [PMID: 35394698 PMCID: PMC10084084 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Species with especially close dependence on the environment to meet physiological requirements, such as ectotherms, are highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Climate change is occurring rapidly in the Subarctic and Arctic, but there is limited knowledge on ectotherm physiology in these landscapes. We investigated how environmental conditions and habitat characteristics influence the physiological conditions and habitat use of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) in a Subarctic landscape near Churchill, Manitoba (Canada). We used plaster models to estimate water loss rates and surface body temperatures among different habitat types and at specific locations used by radio-tracked frogs. Water loss (R2 = 0.67) and surface temperature (R2 = 0.80) of plaster models was similar to that of live frogs. Model-based water loss rates were greater in tundra habitat than in boreal forest and ecotone habitat. Habitat use of wood frogs was strongly tied with available surface moisture and decreased water loss rates that were observed with plaster models. Environmental conditions, such as wind speed and ground temperature, explained 58% and 91% of the variation in water balance and temperature of plaster models. Maintaining physiological conditions may be challenging for semi-aquatic ectotherms in environments vulnerable to future climate change. The ability to predict physiological conditions based on environmental conditions, as demonstrated in our study, can help understand how wildlife will respond to climatic changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Hastings
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, and Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - LeeAnn Fishback
- Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jon M Davenport
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Reinke BA, Cayuela H, Janzen FJ, Lemaître JF, Gaillard JM, Lawing AM, Iverson JB, Christiansen DG, Martínez-Solano I, Sánchez-Montes G, Gutiérrez-Rodríguez J, Rose FL, Nelson N, Keall S, Crivelli AJ, Nazirides T, Grimm-Seyfarth A, Henle K, Mori E, Guiller G, Homan R, Olivier A, Muths E, Hossack BR, Bonnet X, Pilliod DS, Lettink M, Whitaker T, Schmidt BR, Gardner MG, Cheylan M, Poitevin F, Golubović A, Tomović L, Arsovski D, Griffiths RA, Arntzen JW, Baron JP, Le Galliard JF, Tully T, Luiselli L, Capula M, Rugiero L, McCaffery R, Eby LA, Briggs-Gonzalez V, Mazzotti F, Pearson D, Lambert BA, Green DM, Jreidini N, Angelini C, Pyke G, Thirion JM, Joly P, Léna JP, Tucker AD, Limpus C, Priol P, Besnard A, Bernard P, Stanford K, King R, Garwood J, Bosch J, Souza FL, Bertoluci J, Famelli S, Grossenbacher K, Lenzi O, Matthews K, Boitaud S, Olson DH, Jessop TS, Gillespie GR, Clobert J, Richard M, Valenzuela-Sánchez A, Fellers GM, Kleeman PM, Halstead BJ, Grant EHC, Byrne PG, Frétey T, Le Garff B, Levionnois P, Maerz JC, Pichenot J, Olgun K, Üzüm N, Avcı A, Miaud C, Elmberg J, Brown GP, Shine R, Bendik NF, O'Donnell L, Davis CL, Lannoo MJ, Stiles RM, Cox RM, Reedy AM, Warner DA, Bonnaire E, Grayson K, Ramos-Targarona R, Baskale E, Muñoz D, Measey J, de Villiers FA, Selman W, Ronget V, Bronikowski AM, Miller DAW. Diverse aging rates in ectothermic tetrapods provide insights for the evolution of aging and longevity. Science 2022; 376:1459-1466. [PMID: 35737773 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Comparative studies of mortality in the wild are necessary to understand the evolution of aging; yet, ectothermic tetrapods are underrepresented in this comparative landscape, despite their suitability for testing evolutionary hypotheses. We present a study of aging rates and longevity across wild tetrapod ectotherms, using data from 107 populations (77 species) of nonavian reptiles and amphibians. We test hypotheses of how thermoregulatory mode, environmental temperature, protective phenotypes, and pace of life history contribute to demographic aging. Controlling for phylogeny and body size, ectotherms display a higher diversity of aging rates compared with endotherms and include phylogenetically widespread evidence of negligible aging. Protective phenotypes and life-history strategies further explain macroevolutionary patterns of aging. Analyzing ectothermic tetrapods in a comparative context enhances our understanding of the evolution of aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beth A Reinke
- Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Hugo Cayuela
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fredric J Janzen
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA
| | | | - Jean-Michel Gaillard
- Université Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Villeurbanne, France
| | - A Michelle Lawing
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - John B Iverson
- Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, IN, USA
| | - Ditte G Christiansen
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Iñigo Martínez-Solano
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gregorio Sánchez-Montes
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Gutiérrez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Integrative Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Francis L Rose
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Nicola Nelson
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Susan Keall
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Alain J Crivelli
- Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, Tour du Valat, Arles, France
| | | | - Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth
- Department Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Klaus Henle
- Department Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | | | - Rebecca Homan
- Biology Department, Denison University, Granville, OH, USA
| | - Anthony Olivier
- Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, Tour du Valat, Arles, France
| | - Erin Muths
- US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Xavier Bonnet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372 - Université de La Rochelle, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - David S Pilliod
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID, USA
| | | | | | - Benedikt R Schmidt
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Info Fauna Karch, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Michael G Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Marc Cheylan
- PSL Research University, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul-Valéry, Montpellier, France
| | - Françoise Poitevin
- PSL Research University, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul-Valéry, Montpellier, France
| | - Ana Golubović
- Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Tomović
- Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Richard A Griffiths
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK
| | | | - Jean-Pierre Baron
- Ecole normale supérieure, PSL University, Département de biologie, CNRS, UMS 3194, Centre de recherche en écologie expérimentale et prédictive (CEREEP-Ecotron IleDeFrance), Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours, France
| | - Jean-François Le Galliard
- Ecole normale supérieure, PSL University, Département de biologie, CNRS, UMS 3194, Centre de recherche en écologie expérimentale et prédictive (CEREEP-Ecotron IleDeFrance), Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours, France
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INRA, UPEC, IRD, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES-Paris, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Tully
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INRA, UPEC, IRD, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES-Paris, Paris, France
| | - Luca Luiselli
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Animal and Applied Biology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
- Department of Zoology, University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | | | - Lorenzo Rugiero
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation, Rome, Italy
| | - Rebecca McCaffery
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Port Angeles, WA, USA
| | - Lisa A Eby
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Frank Mazzotti
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - David Pearson
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Wanneroo, WA, Australia
| | - Brad A Lambert
- Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - David M Green
- Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Graham Pyke
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CN, Kunming, PR China
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Pierre Joly
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jean-Paul Léna
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Anton D Tucker
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Parks and Wildlife Service-Marine Science Program, Kensington, WA, Australia
| | - Col Limpus
- Threatened Species Operations, Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Aurélien Besnard
- CNRS, EPHE, UM, SupAgro, IRD, INRA, UMR 5175 CEFE, PSL Research University, Montpelier, France
| | - Pauline Bernard
- Conservatoire d'espaces naturels d'Occitanie, Montpellier, France
| | - Kristin Stanford
- Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory, The Ohio State University, Put-In-Bay, OH, USA
| | - Richard King
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Justin Garwood
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Arcata, CA, USA
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- IMIB-Biodiversity Research Unit, University of Oviedo-Principality of Asturias, Mieres, Spain
- Centro de Investigación, Seguimiento y Evaluación, Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, Rascafría, Spain
| | - Franco L Souza
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jaime Bertoluci
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shirley Famelli
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Thurso, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Omar Lenzi
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kathleen Matthews
- USDA Forest Service (Retired), Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Sylvain Boitaud
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Deanna H Olson
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Tim S Jessop
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Graeme R Gillespie
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Palmerston, NT, Australia
| | - Jean Clobert
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis, CNRS-UMR532, Saint Girons, France
| | - Murielle Richard
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis, CNRS-UMR532, Saint Girons, France
| | - Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez
- Instituto de Conservación, Biodiversidad y Territorio, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- ONG Ranita de Darwin, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Gary M Fellers
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA, USA
| | - Patrick M Kleeman
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA, USA
| | - Brian J Halstead
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Evan H Campbell Grant
- US Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Research Center (formerly Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center, Turners Falls, MA, USA
| | - Phillip G Byrne
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | - John C Maerz
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Julian Pichenot
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Eco-éthologie, URCA-CERFE, Boult-aux-Bois, France
| | - Kurtuluş Olgun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Nazan Üzüm
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Aziz Avcı
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Claude Miaud
- PSL Research University, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul-Valéry, Montpellier, France
| | - Johan Elmberg
- Department of Environmental Science and Bioscience, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Gregory P Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathan F Bendik
- Watershed Protection Department, City of Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Lisa O'Donnell
- Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, City of Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | - Robert M Cox
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Aaron M Reedy
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Daniel A Warner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Eric Bonnaire
- Office National des Forêts, Agence de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Nancy, France
| | - Kristine Grayson
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Eyup Baskale
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - David Muñoz
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - F Andre de Villiers
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Will Selman
- Department of Biology, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Victor Ronget
- Unité Eco-anthropologie (EA), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Anne M Bronikowski
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA
| | - David A W Miller
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tornabene BJ, Breuner CW, Hossack BR, Crespi EJ. Effects of salinity and a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU486, on waterborne aldosterone and corticosterone of northern leopard frog larvae. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2022; 317:113972. [PMID: 34958807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Increased salinity is an emerging contaminant of concern for aquatic taxa. For amphibians exposed to salinity, there is scarce information about the physiological effects and changes in osmoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO). Recent studies have quantified effects of salinity on CORT physiology of amphibians based on waterborne hormone collection methods, but much less is known about ALDO in iono- and osmoregulation of amphibians. We re-assayed waterborne hormone samples from a previous study to investigate effects of salinity (sodium chloride, NaCl) and a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist (RU486) on ALDO of northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) larvae. We also investigated relationships between ALDO and CORT. Waterborne ALDO marginally decreased with increasing salinity and was, unexpectedly, positively correlated with baseline and stress-induced waterborne CORT. Importantly, ALDO increased when larvae were exposed to RU486, suggesting that RU486 may also suppress mineralocorticoid receptors or that negative feedback of ALDO is mediated through glucocorticoid receptors. Alternatively, CORT increases with RU486 treatment and might be a substrate for ALDO synthesis, which could account for increases in ALDO with RU486 treatment and the correlation between CORT and ALDO. ALDO was negatively correlated with percent water, such that larvae secreting more ALDO retained less water. Although sample sizes were limited and further validation and studies are warranted, our findings expand our understanding of adrenal steroid responses to salinization in amphibians and proposes new hypotheses regarding the co-regulation of ALDO and CORT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA.
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA; U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Erica J Crespi
- School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tornabene BJ, Crespi EJ, Traversari BA, Stemp KM, Breuner CW, Goldberg CS, Hossack BR. Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys. Dis Aquat Organ 2021; 147:149-154. [PMID: 34913443 DOI: 10.3354/dao03640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens that have caused mortality events in amphibians worldwide. Despite the negative effects of ranaviruses on amphibian populations, monitoring efforts are still lacking in many areas, including in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America. Some PPR wetlands in Montana and North Dakota (USA) have been contaminated by energy-related saline wastewaters, and increased salinity has been linked to greater severity of ranavirus infections. In 2017, we tested tissues from larvae collected at 7 wetlands that ranged in salinity from 26 to 4103 mg Cl l-1. In 2019, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) to test for ranaviruses in 30 wetlands that ranged in salinity from 26 to 11754 mg Cl l-1. A previous study (2013-2014) found that ranavirus-infected amphibians were common across North Dakota, including in some wetlands near our study area. Overall, only 1 larva tested positive for ranavirus infection, and we did not detect ranavirus in any eDNA samples. There are several potential reasons why we found so little evidence of ranaviruses, including low larval sample sizes, mismatch between sampling and disease occurrence, larger pore size of our eDNA filters, temporal variation in outbreaks, low host abundance, or low occurrence or prevalence of ranaviruses in the wetlands we sampled. We suggest future monitoring efforts be conducted to better understand the occurrence and prevalence of ranaviruses within the PPR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hossack BR, Lemos-Espinal JA, Sigafus BH, Muths E, Carreón Arroyo G, Toyos Martinez D, Hurtado Félix D, Padilla GM, Goldberg CS, Jones TR, Sredl MJ, Chambert T, Rorabaugh JC. Distribution of tiger salamanders in northern Sonora, Mexico: comparison of sampling methods and possible implications for an endangered subspecies. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-bja10072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Many aquatic species in the arid USA-Mexico borderlands region are imperiled, but limited information on distributions and threats often hinders management. To provide information on the distribution of the Western Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium), including the USA-federally endangered Sonoran Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi), we used traditional (seines, dip-nets) and modern (environmental DNA [eDNA]) methods to sample 91 waterbodies in northern Sonora, Mexico, during 2015-2018. The endemic Sonoran Tiger Salamander is threatened by introgressive hybridization and potential replacement by another sub-species of the Western Tiger Salamander, the non-native Barred Tiger Salamander (A. m. mavortium). Based on occupancy models that accounted for imperfect detection, eDNA sampling provided a similar detection probability (0.82 [95% CI: 0.56-0.94]) as seining (0.83 [0.46-0.96]) and much higher detection than dip-netting (0.09 [0.02-0.23]). Volume of water filtered had little effect on detection, possibly because turbid sites had greater densities of salamanders. Salamanders were estimated to occur at 51 sites in 3 river drainages in Sonora. These results indicate tiger salamanders are much more widespread in northern Sonora than previously documented, perhaps aided by changes in land and water management practices. However, because the two subspecies of salamanders cannot be reliably distinguished based on morphology or eDNA methods that are based on mitochondrial DNA, we are uncertain if we detected only native genotypes or if we documented recent invasion of the area by the non-native sub-species. Thus, there is an urgent need for methods to reliably distinguish the subspecies so managers can identify appropriate interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake R. Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | | | - Brent H. Sigafus
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Caren S. Goldberg
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Thomas R. Jones
- Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA
| | - Michael J. Sredl
- Retired; Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA
| | - Thierry Chambert
- CEFE, CNRS, Paul Valéry University Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tornabene BJ, Breuner CW, Hossack BR. Comparative Effects of Energy-Related Saline Wastewaters and Sodium Chloride on Hatching, Survival, and Fitness-Associated Traits of Two Amphibian Species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021; 40:3137-3147. [PMID: 34407239 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Salinity (sodium chloride [NaCl]) is a prevalent and persistent contaminant that negatively affects freshwater ecosystems. Although most studies focus on effects of salinity from road salts (primarily NaCl), high-salinity wastewaters from energy extraction (wastewaters) could be more harmful because they contain NaCl and other toxic components. Many amphibians are sensitive to salinity, and their eggs are thought to be the most sensitive life-history stage. However, there are few investigations with salinity that include eggs and larvae sequentially in long-term exposures. We investigated the relative effects of wastewaters from a large energy reserve, the Williston Basin (USA), and NaCl on northern leopard (Rana pipiens) and boreal chorus (Pseudacris maculata) frogs. We exposed eggs and tracked responses through larval stages (for 24 days). Wastewaters and NaCl caused similar reductions in hatching and larval survival, growth, development, and activity, while also increasing deformities. Chorus frog eggs and larvae were more sensitive to salinity than leopard frogs, suggesting species-specific responses. Contrary to previous studies, eggs of both species were less sensitive to salinity than larvae. Our ecologically relevant exposures suggest that accumulating effects can reduce survival relative to starting experiments with unexposed larvae. Alternatively, egg casings of some species may provide some protection against salinity. Notably, effects of wastewaters on amphibians were predominantly due to NaCl rather than other components. Therefore, findings from studies with other sources of increased salinity (e.g., road salts) could guide management of wastewater-contaminated ecosystems, and vice versa, to mitigate effects of salinization. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3137-3147. © 2021 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, US Geological Survey, Missoula, Montana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Smalling KL, Oja EB, Cleveland DM, Davenport JM, Eagles-Smith C, Campbell Grant EH, Kleeman PM, Halstead BJ, Stemp KM, Tornabene BJ, Bunnell ZJ, Hossack BR. Metal accumulation varies with life history, size, and development of larval amphibians. Environ Pollut 2021; 287:117638. [PMID: 34426379 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Amphibian larvae are commonly used as indicators of aquatic ecosystem health because they are susceptible to contaminants. However, there is limited information on how species characteristics and trophic position influence contaminant loads in larval amphibians. Importantly, there remains a need to understand whether grazers (frogs and toads [anurans]) and predators (salamanders) provide comparable information on contaminant accumulation or if they are each indicative of unique environmental processes and risks. To better understand the role of trophic position in contaminant accumulation, we analyzed composite tissues for 10 metals from larvae of multiple co-occurring anuran and salamander species from 20 wetlands across the United States. We examined how metal concentrations varied with body size (anurans and salamanders) and developmental stage (anurans) and how the digestive tract (gut) influenced observed metal concentrations. Across all wetlands, metal concentrations were greater in anurans than salamanders for all metals tested except mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn). Concentrations of individual metals in anurans decreased with increasing weight and developmental stage. In salamanders, metal concentrations were less correlated with weight, indicating diet played a role in contaminant accumulation. Based on batches of similarly sized whole-body larvae compared to larvae with their digestive tracts removed, our results indicated that tissue type strongly affected perceived concentrations, especially for anurans (gut represented an estimated 46-97% of all metals except Se and Zn). This suggests the reliability of results based on whole-body sampling could be biased by metal, larval size, and development. Overall, our data shows that metal concentrations differs between anurans and salamanders, which suggests that metal accumulation is unique to feeding behavior and potentially trophic position. To truly characterize exposure risk in wetlands, species of different life histories, sizes and developmental stages should be included in biomonitoring efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Smalling
- US Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08648, USA.
| | - Emily B Oja
- US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Danielle M Cleveland
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - Jon M Davenport
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 28608, USA
| | - Collin Eagles-Smith
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Evan H Campbell Grant
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, Turner Falls, MA, 01376, USA
| | - Patrick M Kleeman
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes Field Station, Point Reyes Station, CA, 94956, USA
| | - Brian J Halstead
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Kenzi M Stemp
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 28608, USA
| | - Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Zachary J Bunnell
- US Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08648, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA; Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tornabene BJ, Hossack BR, Crespi EJ, Breuner CW. Corticosterone mediates a growth-survival tradeoff for an amphibian exposed to increased salinity. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol 2021; 335:703-715. [PMID: 34370904 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Life-history tradeoffs are common across taxa, but growth-survival tradeoffs-usually enhancing survival at a cost to growth-are less frequently investigated. Increased salinity (NaCl) is a prevalent anthropogenic disturbance that may cause a growth-survival tradeoff for larval amphibians. Although physiological mechanisms mediating tradeoffs are seldom investigated, hormones are prime candidates. Corticosterone (CORT) is a steroid hormone that independently influences survival and growth and may provide mechanistic insight into growth-survival tradeoffs. We conducted a 24-day experiment to test effects of salinity (<32-4000 mg/L) on growth, development, survival, CORT responses, and tradeoffs among traits of larval Northern Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens). We also experimentally suppressed CORT signaling to determine whether CORT signaling mediates effects of salinity and a growth-survival tradeoff. Increased salinity reduced survival, growth, and development. Suppressing CORT signaling in conjunction with salinity reduced survival further but also attenuated the negative effects of salinity on growth, development, and water content. CORT of control larvae increased or was stable with growth and development but decreased with growth and development for those exposed to salinity. Therefore, salinity dysregulated CORT physiology. Across all treatments, larvae that survived had higher CORT than larvae that died. By manipulating CORT signaling, we provide strong evidence that CORT physiology mediates the outcome of a growth-survival tradeoff and enhances survival. To our knowledge, this is the first study to concomitantly measure tradeoffs between growth and survival and experimentally link these changes to CORT physiology. Identifying mechanistic links between stressors and fitness-related outcomes is critical to enhance our understanding of tradeoffs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA.,US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Erica J Crespi
- School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tornabene BJ, Hossack BR, Crespi EJ, Breuner CW. Evaluating corticosterone as a biomarker for amphibians exposed to increased salinity and ambient corticosterone. Conserv Physiol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca McCaffery
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 600 East Park Ave Port Angeles WA 98362 USA
| | - Robin E. Russell
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center Madison WI 53711 USA
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT 59801, USA and Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana Missoula MT 59801 USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cayuela H, Dorant Y, Forester BR, Jeffries DL, Mccaffery RM, Eby LA, Hossack BR, Gippet JMW, Pilliod DS, Chris Funk W. Genomic signatures of thermal adaptation are associated with clinal shifts of life history in a broadly distributed frog. J Anim Ecol 2021; 91:1222-1238. [PMID: 34048026 PMCID: PMC9292533 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Temperature is a critical driver of ectotherm life‐history strategies, whereby a warmer environment is associated with increased growth, reduced longevity and accelerated senescence. Increasing evidence indicates that thermal adaptation may underlie such life‐history shifts in wild populations. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs) can help uncover the molecular mechanisms of temperature‐driven variation in growth, longevity and senescence. However, our understanding of these mechanisms is still limited, which reduces our ability to predict the response of non‐model ectotherms to global temperature change. In this study, we examined the potential role of thermal adaptation in clinal shifts of life‐history traits (i.e. life span, senescence rate and recruitment) in the Columbia spotted frog Rana luteiventris along a broad temperature gradient in the western United States. We took advantage of extensive capture–recapture datasets of 20,033 marked individuals from eight populations surveyed annually for 14–18 years to examine how mean annual temperature and precipitation influenced demographic parameters (i.e. adult survival, life span, senescence rate, recruitment and population growth). After showing that temperature was the main climatic predictor influencing demography, we used RAD‐seq data (50,829 SNPs and 6,599 putative CNVs) generated for 352 individuals from 31 breeding sites to identify the genomic signatures of thermal adaptation. Our results showed that temperature was negatively associated with annual adult survival and reproductive life span and positively associated with senescence rate. By contrast, recruitment increased with temperature, promoting the long‐term viability of most populations. These temperature‐dependent demographic changes were associated with strong genomic signatures of thermal adaptation. We identified 148 SNP candidates associated with temperature including three SNPs located within protein‐coding genes regulating resistance to cold and hypoxia, immunity and reproduction in ranids. We also identified 39 CNV candidates (including within 38 transposable elements) for which normalized read depth was associated with temperature. Our study indicates that both SNPs and structural variants are associated with temperature and could eventually be found to play a functional role in clinal shifts in senescence rate and life‐history strategies in R. luteiventris. These results highlight the potential role of different sources of molecular variation in the response of ectotherms to environmental temperature variation in the context of global warming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Cayuela
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yann Dorant
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Brenna R Forester
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Dan L Jeffries
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca M Mccaffery
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Port Angeles, WA, USA
| | - Lisa A Eby
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Jérôme M W Gippet
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David S Pilliod
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID, USA
| | - W Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
DiRenzo GV, Miller DAW, Hossack BR, Sigafus BH, Howell PE, Muths E, Grant EHC. Accommodating the role of site memory in dynamic species distribution models. Ecology 2021; 102:e03315. [PMID: 33630306 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
First-order dynamic occupancy models (FODOMs) are a class of state-space model in which the true state (occurrence) is observed imperfectly. An important assumption of FODOMs is that site dynamics only depend on the current state and that variations in dynamic processes are adequately captured with covariates or random effects. However, it is often difficult to understand and/or measure the covariates that generate ecological data, which are typically spatiotemporally correlated. Consequently, the non-independent error structure of correlated data causes underestimation of parameter uncertainty and poor ecological inference. Here, we extend the FODOM framework with a second-order Markov process to accommodate site memory when covariates are not available. Our modeling framework can be used to make reliable inference about site occupancy, colonization, extinction, turnover, and detection probabilities. We present a series of simulations to illustrate the data requirements and model performance. We then applied our modeling framework to 13 yr of data from an amphibian community in southern Arizona, USA. In this analysis, we found residual temporal autocorrelation of population processes for most species, even after accounting for long-term drought dynamics. Our approach represents a valuable advance in obtaining inference on population dynamics, especially as they relate to metapopulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graziella V DiRenzo
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA.,U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, Massachusetts, 01376, USA
| | - David A W Miller
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA.,Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
| | - Brent H Sigafus
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 520 N. Park Avenue, Tucson, Arizona, 85719, USA
| | - Paige E Howell
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12311 Beech Forest Road, Laurel, Maryland, 20708, USA
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, 2150 Centre Avenue Building C, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80526, USA
| | - Evan H C Grant
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, Massachusetts, 01376, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tornabene BJ, Breuner CW, Hossack BR. Relative Toxicity and Sublethal Effects of NaCl and Energy-Related Saline Wastewaters on Prairie Amphibians. Aquat Toxicol 2020; 228:105626. [PMID: 32992088 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Increasing salinity in freshwater environments is a growing problem due both to the negative influences of salts on ecosystems and their accumulation and persistence in environments. Two major sources of increased salinity from sodium chloride salts (NaCl) are saline wastewaters co-produced during energy production (herein, wastewaters) and road salts. Effects of road salts have received more attention, but legacy contamination from wastewaters is widespread in some regions and spills still occur. Amphibians are sensitive to contaminants, including NaCl, because of their porous skin and osmoregulatory adaptations to freshwater. However, similarities and differences between effects of wastewaters and road salts have not been investigated. Therefore, we investigated the relative influence of wastewaters and NaCl at equivalent concentrations of chloride on three larval amphibian species that occur in areas with increased salinity. We determined acute toxicity and growth effects on Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata), Northern Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens), and Barred Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium). We posited that wastewaters would have additive effects on amphibians compared to NaCl because wastewaters often have additional toxic heavy metals and other contaminants. For NaCl, toxicity was higher for frogs than the salamander. Toxicity of wastewaters was also similar between chorus and leopard frogs. Only chorus frog survival was lower when exposed to wastewater compared to NaCl. Mass and length of leopard and chorus frog larvae decreased with increasing salinity after only 96 hours of exposure but did not for tiger salamanders. Size of leopard frogs was lower when exposed to NaCl compared to wastewater. However, growth effects were similar between wastewater and NaCl for chorus frogs. Taken together, our results suggest that previous studies on effects of road salt could inform future studies and management of wastewater-contaminated ecosystems, and vice versa. Nevertheless, effects of road salts and wastewaters may be context-, species-, and trait-specific and require further investigations. The negative influence of salts on imperiled amphibians underscores the need to restore landscapes with increased salinity and reduce future salinization of freshwater ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States.
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States; U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Affiliation(s)
- Paige E. Howell
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
| | - Brent H. Sigafus
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Richard B. Chandler
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
Abstract
American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) are significant invaders in many places and can negatively impact native species. Despite their impact and wide distribution, little is known about their demography. We used five years of capture mark-recapture data to estimate annual apparent survival of post-metamorphic bullfrogs in a population on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in their invaded range in Arizona, U.S.A. This population is a potential source of colonists into breeding ponds used by the federally threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (L. chiricahuensis). Results from robust-design Cormack-Jolly-Seber models suggested that survival of bullfrogs was influenced by sex and precipitation but not body condition. Survival was higher for females (mean = 0.37; 95% , 0.72) than males (mean = 0.17; 95% , 0.49), and declined with reduced annual precipitation (mean = −0.36, 95% = −2.09, 0.84). These survival estimates can be incorporated into models of population dynamics and to help predict spread of bullfrogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paige E. Howell
- 1Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Erin Muths
- 2U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Brent H. Sigafus
- 3U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- 4U.S. Geological Survey Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Howell PE, Hossack BR, Muths E, Sigafus BH, Chenevert-Steffler A, Chandler RB. A statistical forecasting approach to metapopulation viability analysis. Ecol Appl 2020; 30:e02038. [PMID: 31709679 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Conservation of at-risk species is aided by reliable forecasts of the consequences of environmental change and management actions on population viability. Forecasts from conventional population viability analysis (PVA) are made using a two-step procedure in which parameters are estimated, or elicited from expert opinion, and then plugged into a stochastic population model without accounting for parameter uncertainty. Recently developed statistical PVAs differ because forecasts are made conditional on models fitted to empirical data. The statistical forecasting approach allows for uncertainty about parameters, but it has rarely been applied in metapopulation contexts where spatially explicit inference is needed about colonization and extinction dynamics and other forms of stochasticity that influence metapopulation viability. We conducted a statistical metapopulation viability analysis (MPVA) using 11 yr of data on the federally threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis) to forecast responses to landscape heterogeneity, drought, environmental stochasticity, and management. We evaluated several future environmental scenarios and pond restoration options designed to reduce extinction risk. Forecasts over a 50-yr time horizon indicated that metapopulation extinction risk was <4% for all scenarios, but uncertainty was high. Without pond restoration, extinction risk is forecasted to be 3.9% (95% CI 0-37%) by year 2066. Restoring six ponds by increasing their hydroperiod reduced extinction risk to <1% and greatly reduced uncertainty (95% CI 0-2%). Our results suggest that managers can mitigate the impacts of drought and environmental stochasticity on metapopulation viability by maintaining ponds that hold water throughout the year and keeping them free of invasive predators. Our study illustrates the utility of the spatially explicit statistical forecasting approach to MPVA in conservation planning efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paige E Howell
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, 180 East Green Street, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, Montana, 59801, USA
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80526, USA
| | - Brent H Sigafus
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
| | - Ann Chenevert-Steffler
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Buenos Aires NWR, P.O. Box 109, Sasabe, Arizona, 85633, USA
| | - Richard B Chandler
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, 180 East Green Street, Georgia, 30602, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hossack BR, Adams MJ, Honeycutt RK, Belt JJ, Pyare S. Amphibian chytrid prevalence on boreal toads in SE Alaska and NW British Columbia: tests of habitat, life stages, and temporal trends. Dis Aquat Organ 2020; 137:159-165. [PMID: 31942861 DOI: 10.3354/dao03430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Tracking and understanding variation in pathogens such as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the agent of amphibian chytridiomycosis which has caused population declines globally, is a priority for many land managers. However, relatively little sampling of amphibian communities has occurred at high latitudes. We used skin swabs collected during 2005-2017 from boreal toads Anaxyrus boreas (n = 248), in southeast Alaska (USA; primarily in and near Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park [KLGO]) and northwest British Columbia (Canada) to determine how Bd prevalence varied across life stages, habitat characteristics, local species richness, and time. Across all years, Bd prevalence peaked in June and was >3 times greater for adult toads (37.5%) vs. juveniles and metamorphs (11.2%). Bd prevalence for toads in the KLGO area, where other amphibian species are rare or absent, was highest from river habitats (55.0%), followed by human-modified upland wetlands (32.3%) and natural upland wetlands (12.7%)-the same rank-order these habitats are used for toad breeding. None of the 12 Columbia spotted frogs Rana luteiventris or 2 wood frogs R. sylvatica from the study area tested Bd-positive, although all were from an area of low host density where Bd has not been detected. Prevalence of Bd on toads in the KLGO area decreased during 2005-2015. This trend from a largely single-species system may be encouraging or concerning, depending on how Bd is affecting vital rates, and emphasizes the need to understand effects of pathogens before translating disease prevalence into management actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake R Hossack
- US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Howell PE, Sigafus BH, Hossack BR, Muths E. CO-OCCURRENCE OF CHIRICAHUA LEOPARD FROGS (LITHOBATES CHIRICAHUENSIS) WITH SUNFISH (LEPOMIS). SOUTHWEST NAT 2020. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909-64-1-69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paige E. Howell
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 (PEH)
| | - Brent H. Sigafus
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, AZ 85719 (BHS)
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT 59801 (BRH)
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO 80526 (EM)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Preston TM, Anderson CW, Thamke JN, Hossack BR, Skalak KJ, Cozzarelli IM. Predicting attenuation of salinized surface- and groundwater-resources from legacy energy development in the Prairie Pothole Region. Sci Total Environ 2019; 690:522-533. [PMID: 31301493 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Oil and gas (energy) development in the Williston Basin, which partly underlies the Prairie Pothole Region in central North America, has helped meet U.S. energy demand for decades. Historical handling and disposal practices of saline wastewater co-produced during energy development resulted in salinization of surface and groundwater at numerous legacy energy sites. Thirty years of monitoring (1988-2018) at Goose Lake, which has been producing since the 1960s, documents long-term spatial and temporal changes in water quality from legacy energy development. Surface water quality was highly variable and decoupled from changes in groundwater quality, likely due to annual and regional climatic fluctuations. Therefore, changes in surface water-quality were not considered a reliable indicator of subsurface chloride migration. However, chloride concentrations in monitoring wells near wastewater sources exhibited systematic temporal reductions allowing for estimates of the time required for natural attenuation of groundwater to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acute and chronic chloride toxicity benchmarks and a local background level. Point attenuation rates differed based on sediment type (outwash vs till) and yielded a range of predicted years when water-quality targets will be reached: acute - 2045 to 2113; chronic - 2069 to 2160; background - 2126 to 2275. Bulk attenuation rates from four separate years of data were used to calculate the distances chloride could migrate downgradient from the largest wastewater source. Potential distances of downgradient migration before dilution to water-quality targets decreased from 1989 to 2018: acute - 949 to 673 m; chronic - 1220 to 922 m; background - 1878 to 1525 m. Several downgradient wetlands are within these distances and will continue to receive saline contaminated groundwater for years. While these results demonstrate chloride attenuation at a legacy energy site, they also highlight the persistence of saline wastewater contamination and the need to mitigate future spills to prevent long-term salinization from energy development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Todd M Preston
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2327 University Way, Suite 2, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA.
| | - Chauncey W Anderson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Water Science Center, 2130 SW 5th Ave., Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Joanna N Thamke
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, 3162 Bozeman Ave., Helena, MT 59604, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 800 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT 59801, USA
| | - Katherine J Skalak
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Research Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, VA 20192, USA
| | - Isabelle M Cozzarelli
- U.S. Geological Survey, Earth System Processes Division of Water Mission Area, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, VA 20192, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Swartz LK, Lowe WH, Muths EL, Hossack BR. Species‐specific responses to wetland mitigation among amphibians in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leah K. Swartz
- Wildlife Biology ProgramUniversity of Montana Missoula MT U.S.A
- Division of Biological SciencesUniversity of Montana Missoula MT U.S.A
| | - Winsor H. Lowe
- Division of Biological SciencesUniversity of Montana Missoula MT U.S.A
| | - Erin L. Muths
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science Center Fort Collins CO U.S.A
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- U.S. Geological SurveyNorthern Rocky Mountain Science Center Missoula MT U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Honeycutt RK, Garwood JM, Lowe WH, Hossack BR. Spatial capture-recapture reveals age- and sex-specific survival and movement in stream amphibians. Oecologia 2019; 190:821-833. [PMID: 31309278 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04464-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Life-history information sets the foundation for our understanding of ecology and conservation requirements. For many species, this information is lacking even for basic demographic rates such as survival and movement. When survival and movement estimates are available, they are often derived from mixed demographic groups and do not consider differences among life stages or sexes, which is critical, because life stages and sexes often contribute differentially to population dynamics. We used hierarchical models informed with spatial capture-mark-recapture data of Ascaphus montanus (Rocky Mountain tailed frog) in five streams and A. truei (coastal tailed frog) in one stream to estimate variation in survival and movement by sex and age, represented by size. By incorporating survival and movement into a single model, we were able to estimate both parameters with limited bias. Annual survival was similar between sexes of A. montanus [females = 0.885 (95% CI 0.614-1), males = 0.901 (0.657-1)], but was slightly higher for female A. truei [0.836 (0.560-0.993)] than for males [0.664 (0.354-0.962)]. Survival of A. montanus peaked at mid-age, suggesting that lower survival of young and actuarial senescence may influence population demographics. Our models suggest that younger A. montanus moved farther than older individuals, and that females moved farther than males in both species. Our results provide uncommon insight into age- and sex-specific rates of survival and movement that are crucial elements of life-history strategies and are important for modeling population growth and prescribing conservation actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Ken Honeycutt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 800 E. Beckwith Avenue, Missoula, MT, 59801, USA.
| | - Justin M Garwood
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 5341 Ericson Way, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA
| | - Winsor H Lowe
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 800 E. Beckwith Avenue, Missoula, MT, 59801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Smalling KL, Anderson CW, Honeycutt RK, Cozzarelli IM, Preston T, Hossack BR. Associations between environmental pollutants and larval amphibians in wetlands contaminated by energy-related brines are potentially mediated by feeding traits. Environ Pollut 2019; 248:260-268. [PMID: 30798027 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Energy production in the Williston Basin, located in the Prairie Pothole Region of central North America, has increased rapidly over the last several decades. Advances in recycling and disposal practices of saline wastewaters (brines) co-produced during energy production have reduced ecological risks, but spills still occur often and legacy practices of releasing brines into the environment caused persistent salinization in many areas. Aside from sodium and chloride, these brines contain elevated concentrations of metals and metalloids (lead, selenium, strontium, antimony and vanadium), ammonium, volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, and radionuclides. Amphibians are especially sensitive to chloride and some metals, increasing potential effects in wetlands contaminated by brines. We collected bed sediment and larval amphibians (Ambystoma mavortium, Lithobates pipiens and Pseudacris maculata) from wetlands in Montana and North Dakota representing a range of brine contamination history and severity to determine if contamination was associated with metal concentrations in sediments and if metal accumulation in tissues varied by species. In wetland sediments, brine contamination was positively associated with the concentrations of sodium and strontium, both known to occur in oil and gas wastewater, but negatively correlated with mercury. In amphibian tissues, selenium and vanadium were associated with brine contamination. Metal tissue concentrations were higher in tadpoles that graze compared to predatory salamanders; this suggests frequent contact with the sediments could lead to greater ingestion of metal-laden materials. Although many of these metals may not be directly linked with energy development, the potential additive or synergistic effects of exposure along with elevated chloride from brines could have important consequences for aquatic organisms. To effectively manage amphibian populations in wetlands contaminated by saline wastewaters we need a better understanding of how life history traits, species-specific susceptibilities and the physical-chemical properties of metals co-occurring in wetland sediments interact with other stressors like chloride and wetland drying.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, 3450 Princeton Pike, Suite 110, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08648, USA.
| | - Chauncey W Anderson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Water Science Center, 2130 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR, 97215, USA
| | - R Ken Honeycutt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 800 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT, 59801, USA
| | - Isabelle M Cozzarelli
- U.S. Geological Survey, Earth System Processes Division of Water Mission Area, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, VA, 20192, USA
| | - Todd Preston
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2327 University Way, Suite 2, Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 800 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT, 59801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Zylstra ER, Swann DE, Hossack BR, Muths E, Steidl RJ. Drought-mediated extinction of an arid-land amphibian: insights from a spatially explicit dynamic occupancy model. Ecol Appl 2019; 29:e01859. [PMID: 30680832 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how natural and anthropogenic processes affect population dynamics of species with patchy distributions is critical to predicting their responses to environmental changes. Despite considerable evidence that demographic rates and dispersal patterns vary temporally in response to an array of biotic and abiotic processes, few applications of metapopulation theory have sought to explore factors that explain spatiotemporal variation in extinction or colonization rates. To facilitate exploring these factors, we extended a spatially explicit model of metapopulation dynamics to create a framework that requires only binary presence-absence data, makes few assumptions about the dispersal process, and accounts for imperfect detection. We apply this framework to 22 yr of biannual survey data for lowland leopard frogs, Lithobates yavapaiensis, an amphibian that inhabits arid stream systems in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for factors that govern temporal variation in transition probabilities, as both extinction and colonization rates varied with hydrologic conditions. Specifically, local extinctions were more frequent during drought periods, particularly at sites without reliable surface water. Colonization rates increased when larval and dispersal periods were wetter than normal, which increased the probability that potential emigrants metamorphosed and reached neighboring sites. Extirpation of frogs from all sites in one watershed during a period of severe drought demonstrated the influence of site-level features, as frogs persisted only in areas where most sites held water consistently and where the amount of sediment deposited from high-elevation wildfires was low. Application of our model provided novel insights into how climate-related processes affected the distribution and population dynamics of an arid-land amphibian. The approach we describe has application to a wide array of species that inhabit patchy environments, can improve our understanding of factors that govern metapopulation dynamics, and can inform strategies for conservation of imperiled species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin R Zylstra
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
| | - Don E Swann
- National Park Service, Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona, 85730, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, Montana, 59801, USA
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80526, USA
| | - Robert J Steidl
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Miller DAW, Grant EHC, Muths E, Amburgey SM, Adams MJ, Joseph MB, Waddle JH, Johnson PTJ, Ryan ME, Schmidt BR, Calhoun DL, Davis CL, Fisher RN, Green DM, Hossack BR, Rittenhouse TAG, Walls SC, Bailey LL, Cruickshank SS, Fellers GM, Gorman TA, Haas CA, Hughson W, Pilliod DS, Price SJ, Ray AM, Sadinski W, Saenz D, Barichivich WJ, Brand A, Brehme CS, Dagit R, Delaney KS, Glorioso BM, Kats LB, Kleeman PM, Pearl CA, Rochester CJ, Riley SPD, Roth M, Sigafus BH. Quantifying climate sensitivity and climate-driven change in North American amphibian communities. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3926. [PMID: 30254220 PMCID: PMC6156563 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06157-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Changing climate will impact species' ranges only when environmental variability directly impacts the demography of local populations. However, measurement of demographic responses to climate change has largely been limited to single species and locations. Here we show that amphibian communities are responsive to climatic variability, using >500,000 time-series observations for 81 species across 86 North American study areas. The effect of climate on local colonization and persistence probabilities varies among eco-regions and depends on local climate, species life-histories, and taxonomic classification. We found that local species richness is most sensitive to changes in water availability during breeding and changes in winter conditions. Based on the relationships we measure, recent changes in climate cannot explain why local species richness of North American amphibians has rapidly declined. However, changing climate does explain why some populations are declining faster than others. Our results provide important insights into how amphibians respond to climate and a general framework for measuring climate impacts on species richness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A W Miller
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Evan H Campbell Grant
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, SO Conte Anadromous Fish Lab, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, USA.
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
| | - Staci M Amburgey
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Intercollege Graduate Ecology Program, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Michael J Adams
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Maxwell B Joseph
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - J Hardin Waddle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA
| | - Pieter T J Johnson
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Maureen E Ryan
- School of Environment and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Conservation Science Partners, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Benedikt R Schmidt
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
- Info Fauna Karch, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel L Calhoun
- U.S. Geological Survey, South Atlantic Water Science Center, Norcross, GA, 30093, USA
| | - Courtney L Davis
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Intercollege Graduate Ecology Program, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Robert N Fisher
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, San Diego, CA, 92101, USA
| | - David M Green
- Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C4, Canada
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, Missoula, MT, 59801, USA
| | - Tracy A G Rittenhouse
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Susan C Walls
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA
| | - Larissa L Bailey
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Sam S Cruickshank
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Gary M Fellers
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes Station, CA, 94956, USA
| | - Thomas A Gorman
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Carola A Haas
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | | | - David S Pilliod
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID, 83706, USA
| | - Steven J Price
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Andrew M Ray
- Greater Yellowstone Network, National Park Service, Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA
| | - Walt Sadinski
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI, 54603, USA
| | - Daniel Saenz
- U. S. Department of Agriculture, Southern Research Station, Forest Service, Nacogdoches, TX, 75965, USA
| | - William J Barichivich
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA
| | - Adrianne Brand
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, SO Conte Anadromous Fish Lab, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, USA
| | - Cheryl S Brehme
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, San Diego, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Rosi Dagit
- Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga, CA, 90290, USA
| | - Katy S Delaney
- National Park Service-Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360, USA
| | - Brad M Glorioso
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA
| | - Lee B Kats
- Natural Sciences Division, Seaver College, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, 90263, USA
| | - Patrick M Kleeman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes Station, CA, 94956, USA
| | - Christopher A Pearl
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Carlton J Rochester
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, San Diego, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Seth P D Riley
- National Park Service-Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360, USA
| | - Mark Roth
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI, 54603, USA
| | - Brent H Sigafus
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Franklin TW, Dysthe JC, Golden M, McKelvey KS, Hossack BR, Carim KJ, Tait C, Young MK, Schwartz MK. Inferring presence of the western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) species complex using environmental DNA. Glob Ecol Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
|
32
|
Howell PE, Muths E, Hossack BR, Sigafus BH, Chandler RB. Increasing connectivity between metapopulation ecology and landscape ecology. Ecology 2018; 99:1119-1128. [PMID: 29453767 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Metapopulation ecology and landscape ecology aim to understand how spatial structure influences ecological processes, yet these disciplines address the problem using fundamentally different modeling approaches. Metapopulation models describe how the spatial distribution of patches affects colonization and extinction, but often do not account for the heterogeneity in the landscape between patches. Models in landscape ecology use detailed descriptions of landscape structure, but often without considering colonization and extinction dynamics. We present a novel spatially explicit modeling framework for narrowing the divide between these disciplines to advance understanding of the effects of landscape structure on metapopulation dynamics. Unlike previous efforts, this framework allows for statistical inference on landscape resistance to colonization using empirical data. We demonstrate the approach using 11 yr of data on a threatened amphibian in a desert ecosystem. Occupancy data for Lithobates chiricahuensis (Chiricahua leopard frog) were collected on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (BANWR), Arizona, USA from 2007 to 2017 following a reintroduction in 2003. Results indicated that colonization dynamics were influenced by both patch characteristics and landscape structure. Landscape resistance increased with increasing elevation and distance to the nearest streambed. Colonization rate was also influenced by patch quality, with semi-permanent and permanent ponds contributing substantially more to the colonization of neighboring ponds relative to intermittent ponds. Ponds that only hold water intermittently also had the highest extinction rate. Our modeling framework can be widely applied to understand metapopulation dynamics in complex landscapes, particularly in systems in which the environment between habitat patches influences the colonization process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paige E Howell
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80526, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, Missoula, Montana, 59801, USA
| | - Brent H Sigafus
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, Arizona, 85719, USA
| | - Richard B Chandler
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Muths E, Chambert T, Schmidt BR, Miller DAW, Hossack BR, Joly P, Grolet O, Green DM, Pilliod DS, Cheylan M, Fisher RN, McCaffery RM, Adams MJ, Palen WJ, Arntzen JW, Garwood J, Fellers G, Thirion JM, Besnard A, Grant EHC. Heterogeneous responses of temperate-zone amphibian populations to climate change complicates conservation planning. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17102. [PMID: 29213103 PMCID: PMC5719039 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17105-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The pervasive and unabated nature of global amphibian declines suggests common demographic responses to a given driver, and quantification of major drivers and responses could inform broad-scale conservation actions. We explored the influence of climate on demographic parameters (i.e., changes in the probabilities of survival and recruitment) using 31 datasets from temperate zone amphibian populations (North America and Europe) with more than a decade of observations each. There was evidence for an influence of climate on population demographic rates, but the direction and magnitude of responses to climate drivers was highly variable among taxa and among populations within taxa. These results reveal that climate drivers interact with variation in life-history traits and population-specific attributes resulting in a diversity of responses. This heterogeneity complicates the identification of conservation 'rules of thumb' for these taxa, and supports the notion of local focus as the most effective approach to overcome global-scale conservation challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA.
| | - T Chambert
- Pennsylvania State University, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, 20708, USA
| | - B R Schmidt
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- Info Fauna KARCH, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - D A W Miller
- Pennsylvania State University, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - B R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, 790 E. Beckwith, Missoula, MT, 59801, USA
| | - P Joly
- Université Lyon 1, UMR 5023 - LEHNA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - O Grolet
- Université Lyon 1, UMR 5023 - LEHNA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - D M Green
- Redpath Museum, McGill University, 859 Sherbrooke St. W. Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada
| | - D S Pilliod
- U.S. Geological, Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 970 Lusk St, Boise, ID, 83706, USA
| | - M Cheylan
- CNRS, PSL Research University, EPHE, UM, SupAgro, IRD, INRA, UMR 5175 CEFE, F-34293, Montpellier, France
| | - R N Fisher
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, San Diego Field Station, 4165 Spruance Road, San Diego, CA, 92101, USA
| | - R M McCaffery
- University of Montana, Division of Biological Sciences, 32 Campus Dr., Missoula, MT, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 600 E. Park Ave, Port Angeles, WA, 98362, USA
| | - M J Adams
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - W J Palen
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive Burnaby, British Columbia, CANADA V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - J W Arntzen
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 6.4.16 Sylvius Bldg, 2333 CR, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J Garwood
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 5341 Ericson Way, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA
| | - G Fellers
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA, 94956, USA
| | - J-M Thirion
- Association Objectifs Biodiversités (OBIOS), 12 rue du docteur Gilbert, 17250, Pont l'Abbé d'Arnoult, France
| | - A Besnard
- CNRS, PSL Research University, EPHE, UM, SupAgro, IRD, INRA, UMR 5175 CEFE, F-34293, Montpellier, France
| | - E H Campbell Grant
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, SO Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory, One Migratory Way, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Hossack BR, Puglis HJ, Battaglin WA, Anderson CW, Honeycutt RK, Smalling KL. Widespread legacy brine contamination from oil production reduces survival of chorus frog larvae. Environ Pollut 2017; 231:742-751. [PMID: 28863397 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.08.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Advances in drilling techniques have facilitated a rapid increase in hydrocarbon extraction from energy shales, including the Williston Basin in central North America. This area overlaps with the Prairie Pothole Region, a region densely populated with wetlands that provide numerous ecosystem services. Historical (legacy) disposal practices often released saline co-produced waters (brines) with high chloride concentrations, affecting wetland water quality directly or persisting in sediments. Despite the potential threat of brine contamination to aquatic habitats, there has been little research into its ecological effects. We capitalized on a gradient of legacy brine-contaminated wetlands in northeast Montana to conduct laboratory experiments to assess variation in survival of larval Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata) reared on sediments from 3 local wetlands and a control source. To help provide environmental context for the experiment, we also measured chloride concentrations in 6 brine-contaminated wetlands in our study area, including the 2 contaminated sites used for sediment exposures. Survival of frog larvae during 46- and 55-day experiments differed by up to 88% among sediment sources (Site Model) and was negatively correlated with potential chloride exposure (Chloride Model). Five of the 6 contaminated wetlands exceeded the U.S. EPA acute benchmark for chloride in freshwater (860 mg/L) and all exceeded the chronic benchmark (230 mg/L). However, the Wetland Site model explained more variation in survival than the Chloride Model, suggesting that chloride concentration alone does not fully reflect the threat of contamination to aquatic species. Because the profiles of brine-contaminated sediments are complex, further surveys and experiments are needed across a broad range of conditions, especially where restoration or remediation actions have reduced brine-contamination. Information provided by this study can help quantify potential ecological threats and help land managers prioritize conservation strategies as part of responsible and sustainable energy development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 790 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT, 59801, USA.
| | - Holly J Puglis
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Rd., Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - William A Battaglin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado Water Science Center, 1 DFC MS 415, Denver, CO, 80225, USA
| | - Chauncey W Anderson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Water Science Center, 2130, SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR, 97215, USA
| | - R Ken Honeycutt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 790 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT, 59801, USA
| | - Kelly L Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, 3450, Princeton Pike, Suite 110, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08648, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Davenport JM, Hossack BR, Fishback L. Additive impacts of experimental climate change increase risk to an ectotherm at the Arctic's edge. Glob Chang Biol 2017; 23:2262-2271. [PMID: 27790788 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Globally, Arctic and Subarctic regions have experienced the greatest temperature increases during the last 30 years. These extreme changes have amplified threats to the freshwater ecosystems that dominate the landscape in many areas by altering water budgets. Several studies in temperate environments have examined the adaptive capacity of organisms to enhance our understanding of the potential repercussions of warming and associated accelerated drying for freshwater ecosystems. However, few experiments have examined these impacts in Arctic or Subarctic freshwater ecosystems, where the climate is changing most rapidly. To evaluate the capacity of a widespread ectotherm to anticipated environmental changes, we conducted a mesocosm experiment with wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) in the Canadian Subarctic. Three warming treatments were fully crossed with three drying treatments to simulate a range of predicted changes in wetland environments. We predicted wetland warming and drying would act synergistically, with water temperature partially compensating for some of the negative effects of accelerated drying. Across all drying regimes, a 1 °C increase in water temperature increased the odds of survival by 1.79, and tadpoles in 52-day and 64-day hydroperiod mesocosms were 4.1-4.3 times more likely to survive to metamorphosis than tadpoles in 45-day mesocosms. For individuals who survived to metamorphosis, there was only a weak negative effect of temperature on size. As expected, increased temperatures accelerated tadpole growth through day 30 of the experiment. Our results reveal that one of the dominant herbivores in Subarctic wetlands, wood frog tadpoles, are capable of increasing their developmental rates in response to increased temperature and accelerated drying, but only in an additive manner. The strong negative effects of drying on survival, combined with lack of compensation between these two environmental drivers, suggest changes in the aquatic environment that are expected in this ecosystem will reduce mean fitness of populations across the landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jon M Davenport
- Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO, 63701, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, 790 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT, 59801, USA
| | - LeeAnn Fishback
- Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Churchill, MB, R0B 0E0, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Howell PE, Hossack BR, Muths E, Sigafus BH, Chandler RB. Survival Estimates for Reintroduced Populations of the Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis). COPEIA 2016. [DOI: 10.1643/ce-16-406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
37
|
Ray AM, Gould WR, Hossack BR, Sepulveda AJ, Thoma DP, Patla DA, Daley R, Al‐Chokhachy R. Influence of climate drivers on colonization and extinction dynamics of wetland‐dependent species. Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Ray
- Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitory Network National Park Service 2327 University Way, Suite 2 Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
| | - William R. Gould
- Department of Economics and Applied Statistics New Mexico State University Box 30001/MSC 3CQ Las Cruces New Mexico 88003 USA
- Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative P.O. Box 2705 Jackson Wyoming 83001 USA
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute U.S. Geological Survey 790 E. Beckwith Avenue Missoula Montana 59801 USA
| | - Adam J. Sepulveda
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center U.S. Geological Survey 2327 University Way, Suite 2 Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
| | - David P. Thoma
- Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitory Network National Park Service 2327 University Way, Suite 2 Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
| | - Debra A. Patla
- Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative P.O. Box 2705 Jackson Wyoming 83001 USA
| | - Rob Daley
- Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitory Network National Park Service 2327 University Way, Suite 2 Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
| | - Robert Al‐Chokhachy
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center U.S. Geological Survey 2327 University Way, Suite 2 Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Chambert
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management Pennsylvania State University University Park PA 16802 USA
- U.S. Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD 20708 USA
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute Missoula MT 59801 USA
| | - LeeAnn Fishback
- Churchill Northern Studies Centre P.O. Box 610 Churchill MB R0B 0E0 Canada
| | - Jon M. Davenport
- Department of Biology Southeast Missouri State University One University Plaza MS 6200 Cape Girardeau MO 63701 USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Affiliation(s)
- R. Ken Honeycutt
- Wildlife Biology Program; University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Winsor H. Lowe
- Division of Biological Sciences; University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey; Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, 790 E. Beckwith Avenue; Missoula MT 59801 USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Chandler RB, Muths E, Sigafus BH, Schwalbe CR, Jarchow CJ, Hossack BR. Spatial occupancy models for predicting metapopulation dynamics and viability following reintroduction. J Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard B. Chandler
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; University of Georgia; 180 E. Green St. Athens GA 30619 USA
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological Survey; Fort Collins Science Center; 2150 Centre Ave, Bldg C Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - Brent H. Sigafus
- U.S. Geological Survey; Sonoran Desert Research Station; 125 Biological Sciences East; University of Arizona; Tucson AZ 85721 USA
| | - Cecil R. Schwalbe
- U.S. Geological Survey; Sonoran Desert Research Station; 125 Biological Sciences East; University of Arizona; Tucson AZ 85721 USA
| | - Christopher J. Jarchow
- School of Natural Resources; University of Arizona; 1110 E. South Campus Dr. Tucson AZ 85721 USA
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey; Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center; Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute; 790 E. Beckwith Missoula MT 59801 USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Addis BR, Lowe WH, Hossack BR, Allendorf FW. Population genetic structure and disease in montane boreal toads: more heterozygous individuals are more likely to be infected with amphibian chytrid. CONSERV GENET 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-015-0704-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
42
|
Davenport JM, Hossack BR, Lowe WH. Partitioning the non-consumptive effects of predators on prey with complex life histories. Oecologia 2014; 176:149-55. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-2996-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
43
|
Hossack BR, Adams MJ, Pearl CA, Wilson KW, Bull EL, Lohr K, Patla D, Pilliod DS, Jones JM, Wheeler KK, McKay SP, Corn PS. Roles of patch characteristics, drought frequency, and restoration in long-term trends of a widespread amphibian. Conserv Biol 2013; 27:1410-1420. [PMID: 24033460 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2012] [Accepted: 04/06/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite the high profile of amphibian declines and the increasing threat of drought and fragmentation to aquatic ecosystems, few studies have examined long-term rates of change for a single species across a large geographic area. We analyzed growth in annual egg-mass counts of the Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) across the northwestern United States, an area encompassing 3 genetic clades. On the basis of data collected by multiple partners from 98 water bodies between 1991 and 2011, we used state-space and linear-regression models to measure effects of patch characteristics, frequency of summer drought, and wetland restoration on population growth. Abundance increased in the 2 clades with greatest decline history, but declined where populations are considered most secure. Population growth was negatively associated with temporary hydroperiods and landscape modification (measured by the human footprint index), but was similar in modified and natural water bodies. The effect of drought was mediated by the size of the water body: populations in large water bodies maintained positive growth despite drought, whereas drought magnified declines in small water bodies. Rapid growth in restored wetlands in areas of historical population declines provided strong evidence of successful management. Our results highlight the importance of maintaining large areas of habitat and underscore the greater vulnerability of small areas of habitat to environmental stochasticity. Similar long-term growth rates in modified and natural water bodies and rapid, positive responses to restoration suggest pond construction and other forms of management can effectively increase population growth. These tools are likely to become increasingly important to mitigate effects of increased drought expected from global climate change. Papeles de las Características del Fragmento, Frecuencia de Sequía y Restauración en las Tendencias a Largo Plazo de un Anfibio Ampliamente Distribuido.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Institute, 790 East Beckwith Avenue, Missoula, MT, 59801, U.S.A..
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Hossack BR, Lowe WH, Honeycutt RK, Parks SA, Corn PS. Interactive effects of wildfire, forest management, and isolation on amphibian and parasite abundance. Ecol Appl 2013; 23:479-492. [PMID: 23634596 DOI: 10.1890/12-0316.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Projected increases in wildfire and other climate-driven disturbances will affect populations and communities worldwide, including host-parasite relationships. Research in temperate forests has shown that wildfire can negatively affect amphibians, but this research has occurred primarily outside of managed landscapes where interactions with human disturbances could result in additive or synergistic effects. Furthermore, parasites represent a large component of biodiversity and can affect host fitness and population dynamics, yet they are rarely included in studies of how vertebrate hosts respond to disturbance. To determine how wildfire affects amphibians and their parasites, and whether effects differ between protected and managed landscapes, we compared abundance of two amphibians and two nematodes relative to wildfire extent and severity around wetlands in neighboring protected and managed forests (Montana, USA). Population sizes of adult, male long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) decreased with increased burn severity, with stronger negative effects on isolated populations and in managed forests. In contrast, breeding population sizes of Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) increased with burn extent in both protected and managed protected forests. Path analysis showed that the effects of wildfire on the two species of nematodes were consistent with differences in their life history and transmission strategies and the responses of their hosts. Burn severity indirectly reduced abundance of soil-transmitted Cosmocercoides variabilis through reductions in salamander abundance. Burn severity also directly reduced C. variabilis abundance, possibly though changes in soil conditions. For the aquatically transmitted nematode Gyrinicola batrachiensis, the positive effect of burn extent on density of Columbia spotted frog larvae indirectly increased parasite abundance. Our results show that effects of wildfire on amphibians depend upon burn extent and severity, isolation, and prior land use. Through subsequent effects on the parasites, our results also reveal how changes in disturbance regimes can affect communities across trophic levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, 790 East Beckwith Avenue, Missoula, Montana 59801, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hossack BR, Lowe WH, Corn PS. Rapid increases and time-lagged declines in amphibian occupancy after wildfire. Conserv Biol 2013; 27:219-228. [PMID: 22978248 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01921.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/20/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of drought and wildfire. Aquatic and moisture-sensitive species, such as amphibians, may be particularly vulnerable to these modified disturbance regimes because large wildfires often occur during extended droughts and thus may compound environmental threats. However, understanding of the effects of wildfires on amphibians in forests with long fire-return intervals is limited. Numerous stand-replacing wildfires have occurred since 1988 in Glacier National Park (Montana, U.S.A.), where we have conducted long-term monitoring of amphibians. We measured responses of 3 amphibian species to fires of different sizes, severity, and age in a small geographic area with uniform management. We used data from wetlands associated with 6 wildfires that burned between 1988 and 2003 to evaluate whether burn extent and severity and interactions between wildfire and wetland isolation affected the distribution of breeding populations. We measured responses with models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate occupancy during prefire (0-4 years) and different postfire recovery periods. For the long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) and Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris), occupancy was not affected for 6 years after wildfire. But 7-21 years after wildfire, occupancy for both species decreased ≥ 25% in areas where >50% of the forest within 500 m of wetlands burned. In contrast, occupancy of the boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas) tripled in the 3 years after low-elevation forests burned. This increase in occupancy was followed by a gradual decline. Our results show that accounting for magnitude of change and time lags is critical to understanding population dynamics of amphibians after large disturbances. Our results also inform understanding of the potential threat of increases in wildfire frequency or severity to amphibians in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, 790 East Beckwith Avenue, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Pilliod DS, Muths E, Scherer RD, Bartelt PE, Corn PS, Hossack BR, Lambert BA, McCaffery R, Gaughan C. Effects of amphibian chytrid fungus on individual survival probability in wild boreal toads. Conserv Biol 2010; 24:1259-67. [PMID: 20412086 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01506.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Chytridiomycosis is linked to the worldwide decline of amphibians, yet little is known about the demographic effects of the disease. We collected capture-recapture data on three populations of boreal toads (Bufo boreas [Bufo = Anaxyrus]) in the Rocky Mountains (U.S.A.). Two of the populations were infected with chytridiomycosis and one was not. We examined the effect of the presence of amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]; the agent of chytridiomycosis) on survival probability and population growth rate. Toads that were infected with Bd had lower average annual survival probability than uninfected individuals at sites where Bd was detected, which suggests chytridiomycosis may reduce survival by 31-42% in wild boreal toads. Toads that were negative for Bd at infected sites had survival probabilities comparable to toads at the uninfected site. Evidence that environmental covariates (particularly cold temperatures during the breeding season) influenced toad survival was weak. The number of individuals in diseased populations declined by 5-7%/year over the 6 years of the study, whereas the uninfected population had comparatively stable population growth. Our data suggest that the presence of Bd in these toad populations is not causing rapid population declines. Rather, chytridiomycosis appears to be functioning as a low-level, chronic disease whereby some infected individuals survive but the overall population effects are still negative. Our results show that some amphibian populations may be coexisting with Bd and highlight the importance of quantitative assessments of survival in diseased animal populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David S Pilliod
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Snake River Field Station, 970 Lusk Street, Boise, Idaho 83706, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Pilliod DS, Hossack BR, Bahls PF, Bull EL, Corn PS, Hokit G, Maxell BA, Munger JC, Wyrick A. Non-native salmonids affect amphibian occupancy at multiple spatial scales. DIVERS DISTRIB 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2010.00699.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
|
48
|
Hossack BR, Newell RL, Rogers DC. Branchiopods (Anostraca, Notostraca) from Protected Areas of Western Montana. Northwest Science 2010. [DOI: 10.3955/046.084.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
49
|
|
50
|
Abstract
Wildland fires are expected to become more frequent and severe in many ecosystems, potentially posing a threat to many sensitive species. We evaluated the effects of a large, stand-replacement wildfire on three species of pond-breeding amphibians by estimating changes in occupancy of breeding sites during the three years before and after the fire burned 42 of 83 previously surveyed wetlands. Annual occupancy and colonization for each species was estimated using recently developed models that incorporate detection probabilities to provide unbiased parameter estimates. We did not find negative effects of the fire on the occupancy or colonization rates of the long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum). Instead, its occupancy was higher across the study area after the fire, possibly in response to a large snowpack that may have facilitated colonization of unoccupied wetlands. Naive data (uncorrected for detection probability) for the Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) initially led to the conclusion of increased occupancy and colonization in wetlands that burned. After accounting for temporal and spatial variation in detection probabilities, however, it was evident that these parameters were relatively stable in both areas before and after the fire. We found a similar discrepancy between naive and estimated occupancy of A. macrodactylum that resulted from different detection probabilities in burned and control wetlands. The boreal toad (Bufo boreas) was not found breeding in the area prior to the fire but colonized several wetlands the year after they burned. Occupancy by B. boreas then declined during years 2 and 3 following the fire. Our study suggests that the amphibian populations we studied are resistant to wildfire and that B. boreas may experience short-term benefits from wildfire. Our data also illustrate how naive presence-non-detection data can provide misleading results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake R Hossack
- United States Geological Survey, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, 790 E. Beckwith Avenue, Missoula, Montana 59801, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|