A review of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toads
In anuran amphibians (frogs and toads), evidence linking pollution to population declines is limited, in particular through impaired reproduction. Here we review the evidence for pollutant-induced alterations on reproductive endpoints in wild anurans with a particular focus on the application of non...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014765132300667X |
| _version_ | 1797744162546647040 |
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| author | Frances Orton Bethany Roberts-Rhodes Catherine Whatley Charles R. Tyler |
| author_facet | Frances Orton Bethany Roberts-Rhodes Catherine Whatley Charles R. Tyler |
| author_sort | Frances Orton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In anuran amphibians (frogs and toads), evidence linking pollution to population declines is limited, in particular through impaired reproduction. Here we review the evidence for pollutant-induced alterations on reproductive endpoints in wild anurans with a particular focus on the application of non-destructive endpoints including on sex ratios, male reproductive phenotypes (data are too scarce for females) and reproductive outputs (reflective of mating success). Data evidencing alterations in sex ratio in wild anurans are scarce, however, both feminisation and masculinisation in response to pollution have been reported (seven studies). Male nuptial pad morphology and calling behaviour display high sensitivity to pollutant-exposure and are important features determining male breeding success, however there is considerable variation in these endpoints and inconsistencies in the responses of them to pollution are reported in wild anurans. Data for clutch size are insufficient to assess sensitivity to pollutants (five studies only). However, hatch success and offspring fitness (tadpole survival/development) are sensitive to pollution, with clear linkages to population stability. In conclusion, there are a wide range of non destructive measures with good potential for application to assess/monitor reproductive health in wild anurans, however, a greater understanding of pollutant effects on these endpoints is needed. There measures deserve wider application as they are relatively simple and inexpensive to implement, and as they can be applied non-destructively are widely applicable to our declining anuran populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T15:05:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd182599b8804d068821d2dbbcec460b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0147-6513 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T15:05:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd182599b8804d068821d2dbbcec460b2023-08-13T04:51:49ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132023-09-01262115163A review of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toadsFrances Orton0Bethany Roberts-Rhodes1Catherine Whatley2Charles R. Tyler3UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK; Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS UK; Corresponding author.School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UKSchool of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UKBiosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UKIn anuran amphibians (frogs and toads), evidence linking pollution to population declines is limited, in particular through impaired reproduction. Here we review the evidence for pollutant-induced alterations on reproductive endpoints in wild anurans with a particular focus on the application of non-destructive endpoints including on sex ratios, male reproductive phenotypes (data are too scarce for females) and reproductive outputs (reflective of mating success). Data evidencing alterations in sex ratio in wild anurans are scarce, however, both feminisation and masculinisation in response to pollution have been reported (seven studies). Male nuptial pad morphology and calling behaviour display high sensitivity to pollutant-exposure and are important features determining male breeding success, however there is considerable variation in these endpoints and inconsistencies in the responses of them to pollution are reported in wild anurans. Data for clutch size are insufficient to assess sensitivity to pollutants (five studies only). However, hatch success and offspring fitness (tadpole survival/development) are sensitive to pollution, with clear linkages to population stability. In conclusion, there are a wide range of non destructive measures with good potential for application to assess/monitor reproductive health in wild anurans, however, a greater understanding of pollutant effects on these endpoints is needed. There measures deserve wider application as they are relatively simple and inexpensive to implement, and as they can be applied non-destructively are widely applicable to our declining anuran populations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014765132300667XFrogAnuranEcotoxicologyReproductionPollutantEndocrine disruption |
| spellingShingle | Frances Orton Bethany Roberts-Rhodes Catherine Whatley Charles R. Tyler A review of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toads Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Frog Anuran Ecotoxicology Reproduction Pollutant Endocrine disruption |
| title | A review of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toads |
| title_full | A review of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toads |
| title_fullStr | A review of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toads |
| title_full_unstemmed | A review of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toads |
| title_short | A review of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toads |
| title_sort | review of non destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toads |
| topic | Frog Anuran Ecotoxicology Reproduction Pollutant Endocrine disruption |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014765132300667X |
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