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Rowland FE, Muths E, Eagles-Smith CA, Stricker CA, Kraus JM, Harrington RA, Walters DM. Complex Life Histories Alter Patterns of Mercury Exposure and Accumulation in a Pond-Breeding Amphibian. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:4133-4142. [PMID: 36848500 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying how contaminants change across life cycles of species that undergo metamorphosis is critical to assessing organismal risk, particularly for consumers. Pond-breeding amphibians can dominate aquatic animal biomass as larvae and are terrestrial prey as juveniles and adults. Thus, amphibians can be vectors of mercury exposure in both aquatic and terrestrial food webs. However, it is still unclear how mercury concentrations are affected by exogenous (e.g., habitat or diet) vs endogenous factors (e.g., catabolism during hibernation) as amphibians undergo large diet shifts and periods of fasting during ontogeny. We measured total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), and isotopic compositions (δ 13C, δ15N) in boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata) across five life stages in two Colorado (USA) metapopulations. We found large differences in concentrations and percent MeHg (of THg) among life stages. Frog MeHg concentrations peaked during metamorphosis and hibernation coinciding with the most energetically demanding life cycle stages. Indeed, life history transitions involving periods of fasting coupled with high metabolic demands led to large increases in mercury concentrations. The endogenous processes of metamorphosis and hibernation resulted in MeHg bioamplification, thus decoupling it from the light isotopic proxies of diet and trophic position. These step changes are not often considered in conventional expectations of how MeHg concentrations within organisms are assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya E Rowland
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Erin Muths
- Fort Collins Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526, United States
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Craig A Stricker
- Fort Collins Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526, United States
| | - Johanna M Kraus
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Rachel A Harrington
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, Denver, Colorado 80202, United States
| | - David M Walters
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
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Smalling KL, Mosher BA, Iwanowicz LR, Loftin KA, Boehlke A, Hladik ML, Muletz-Wolz CR, Córtes-Rodríguez N, Femmer R, Campbell Grant EH. Site- and Individual-Level Contaminations Affect Infection Prevalence of an Emerging Infectious Disease of Amphibians. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:781-791. [PMID: 35040181 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Emerging infectious disease outbreaks are one of multiple stressors responsible for amphibian declines globally. In the northeastern United States, ranaviral diseases are prevalent in amphibians and other ectothermic species, but there is still uncertainty as to whether their presence is leading to population-level effects. Further, there is also uncertainty surrounding the potential interactions among disease infection prevalence in free-ranging animals and habitat degradation (co-occurrence of chemical stressors). The present study was designed to provide field-based estimates of the relationship between amphibian disease and chemical stressors. We visited 40 wetlands across three protected areas, estimated the prevalence of ranavirus among populations of larval wood frogs and spotted salamanders, and assessed chemical and biological stressors in wetland habitats and larval amphibians using a suite of selected bioassays, screening tools, and chemical analyses. Ranavirus was detected on larval amphibians from each protected area with an estimated occupancy ranging from 0.27 to 0.55. Considerable variation in ranavirus occupancy was also observed within and among each protected area. Of the stressors evaluated, ranavirus prevalence was strongly and positively related to concentrations of metalloestrogens (metals with the potential to bind to estrogen receptors) and total metals in wetland sediments and weakly and negatively related to total pesticide concentrations in larval amphibians. These results can be used by land managers to refine habitat assessments to include such environmental factors with the potential to influence disease susceptibility. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:781-791. © 2022 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Smalling
- New Jersey Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA
| | - Brittany A Mosher
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Luke R Iwanowicz
- Eastern Ecological Science Center at Leetown, US Geological Survey, Kearneysville, West Virginia, USA
| | - Keith A Loftin
- Kansas Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Adam Boehlke
- Geology, Geochemistry and Geophysics Science Center, US Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Michelle L Hladik
- California Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Carly R Muletz-Wolz
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nandadevi Córtes-Rodríguez
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Robin Femmer
- Kansas Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Evan H Campbell Grant
- Eastern Ecological Science Center, S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, US Geological Survey, Turner Falls, Massachusetts, USA
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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. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 287:117638. [PMID: 34426379 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [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.
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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
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Robinson S, Richardson S, Dalton R, Maisonneuve F, Bartlett A, de Solla S, Trudeau V, Waltho N. Assessment of Sublethal Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on the Life-History Traits of 2 Frog Species. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2019; 38:1967-1977. [PMID: 31386781 PMCID: PMC7322800 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Neonicotinoid insecticides are used extensively in agriculture and, as a consequence, are now detectable in nearby aquatic environments. Few studies have evaluated the effects of neonicotinoids on amphibians in these aquatic environments. In the present study, we examined the effects of 2 commercial formulations of neonicotinoids (active ingredients clothianidin and thiamethoxam) on survival and life-history traits of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) and northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens). We used artificial pond mesocosms to assess the effects of these neonicotinoids, at nominal concentrations of 2.5 and 250 µg/L, on amphibian larval development through metamorphosis. We found no differences between controls and neonicotinoid exposure for any of the endpoints assessed for either wood frogs or leopard frogs. The present study suggests that concentrations meeting or exceeding observed levels of clothianidin and thiamethoxam in surface waters will not directly affect metamorphosis in 2 amphibians. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1967-1977. © 2019 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- S.A. Robinson
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health DivisionOttawaOntarioCanada
| | | | - R.L. Dalton
- Department of BiologyCarleton UniversityOttawaOntarioCanada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecological Assessment DivisionGatineauQuebecCanada
| | - F. Maisonneuve
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health DivisionOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - A.J. Bartlett
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, BurlingtonOntarioCanada
| | - S.R. de Solla
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, BurlingtonOntarioCanada
| | - V.L. Trudeau
- Department of BiologyUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - N. Waltho
- Department of BiologyCarleton UniversityOttawaOntarioCanada
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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. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 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] [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.
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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
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Wolfe JD, Lane OP, Brigham RM, Hall BD. Mercury exposure to red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and dragonfly (Odonata: Aeshnidae) nymphs in Prairie Pothole wetlands. Facets (Ott) 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2017-0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) in the northern Great Plains is an area of ecological significance, serving as an important breeding site for avian wildlife. However, organisms feeding within the PPR may be at risk of mercury (Hg) exposure due to deposition of anthropogenic emissions and the high Hg methylation potential of PPR wetlands. We quantified Hg concentrations in red-winged blackbirds’ ( Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766); RWBLs) blood, feathers, and eggs in the spring and summer breeding season and compared our values with those from RWBLs sampled from ecoregions across North America. Hg concentrations in whole water, aeshnid dragonfly nymphs, and RWBL tissues varied by wetland and were below those considered to elicit acute effects in wildlife, and egg total Hg (THg) concentrations were significantly related to spring whole water methylmercury concentrations. Only RWBL blood THg concentrations showed a clear increase in summer compared with spring, resulting in decoupling of summer blood and feather THg concentrations. Moreover, blood THg concentrations varied by ecoregion, with those impacted by an industrial point source exhibiting high Hg levels. Our study emphasizes that tissue renewal time as well as ecological factors such as competition and diet shifts are important considerations when using RWBLs to assess biological Hg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared D. Wolfe
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Oksana P. Lane
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME 04103, USA
| | - R. Mark Brigham
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Britt D. Hall
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
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