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Contaminant-induced behavioural changes in amphibians: A meta-analysis
Michael Sievers1, Robin Hale2, Kirsten M Parris3
1School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Australian Rivers Institute - Coast & Estuaries, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia.
The Science of the Total Environment
|August 2, 2019
Summary
Environmental contaminants significantly impact amphibian behavior, with insecticides causing abnormal swimming and reduced predator escape. This highlights the need for further research into sub-lethal effects on amphibian populations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Amphibian ecotoxicology
- Behavioral ecology
Background:
- Environmental contaminants pose a threat to amphibian populations globally.
- Sub-lethal contaminant effects on amphibian behavior can have significant fitness and ecological consequences.
- A quantitative assessment of amphibian behavioral sensitivity to contaminants is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining behavioral changes in amphibians following contaminant exposure.
- To identify which contaminants elicit the strongest behavioral responses in amphibians.
- To highlight key areas for future research in amphibian ecotoxicology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
- Inclusion of 116 studies, primarily from North America and Europe, focusing on larval amphibians.
- Analysis of behavioral alterations across various contaminant exposures, with a focus on insecticides.
Main Results:
- A wide range of amphibian behaviors are affected by various contaminants.
- Insecticides demonstrated the most potent effects, increasing abnormal swimming and decreasing predator escape responses.
- Most studies focused on insecticides and were conducted in North America and Europe.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral endpoints are valuable sub-lethal indicators of contaminant impacts on amphibians.
- Further research is needed to detail experimental protocols, expand contaminant testing, study multiple stressors, and establish ecological relevance.
- Integrating behavioral data with ecotoxicological endpoints can enhance population models and assess broader ecological risks.
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