Framework for multi-stressor physiological response evaluation in amphibian risk assessment and conservation

Area of Science:

• Environmental toxicology
• Amphibian ecotoxicology
• Conservation physiology

Background:

• Laboratory studies on amphibians often simplify stressor impacts, making field application challenging.
• Ubiquitous pesticides and contaminants can cause subtle or combined effects, complicating ecological risk assessment.
• Vertebrate stress pathways are conserved, but species-specific life stages and exposure routes influence vulnerability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review stress-related biomarkers in amphibians and their link to apical effects.
• To discuss how ontogeny and ecology affect biomarker interpretation across species.
• To identify field-based physiological measures for amphibian conservation.

Main Methods:

• Examination of stress-related biomarkers and endpoints.
• Discussion of species-specific ontogeny and ecological differences.
• Identification of promising field-based physiological measures.

Main Results:

• Biomarker interpretation is limited by species-specific life history and ecological factors.
• Sublethal and synergistic effects of multiple stressors are difficult to discern in field settings.
• Stage-specific physiological endpoints and multi-stressor vulnerability are key considerations.

Conclusions:

• Amphibian conservation requires understanding physiological, ecological, and demographic vulnerabilities.
• Field-based physiological measures can indicate potential impacts on amphibian health and development.
• Evaluating multiple stressors within amphibian life history is essential for strategic conservation planning.