Effects of copper on survival of larval Bufotes variabilis (Anura: Bufonidae)

Amphibians are excellent indicators of environmental quality because their permeable skin allows for the exchange of materials with the surrounding environment.Many amphibian species breed in a range of aquatic habitats, some of which are embedded in agricultural landscapes. Consequently, their eggs and larvae may be exposed to environmental contaminants at some time during development. Heavy metals constitute a core group of aquatic pollutants, and their excessive addition to aquatic ecosystems has evoked major environmental and health concerns worldwide. Levels of heavy metals are rapidly increasing in the environment due to diverse anthropogenic activities, such as mining, frequent use of chemical fertilizers and a wide range of industrial activities. Because aquatic ecosystem is the ultimate recipient of various pollutants originating from natural and anthropogenic sources, their accumulation and persistence constitute a serious threat to aquatic organisms. Copper is a kind of metal that may be of particular significance to amphibian populations, and it is often present in aquatic habitats used by amphibian species. This study examined the negative effects of copper on the survival of 360 eggs of Bufotes variabilis until reach to metamorphosis at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/L in 72 days. In this experiment, the highest percentage of larvae remaining at the end of the experiment was 41.11%±1.11in the control treatment and followed by 36.56%±3.33, 36.66%±3.33, 36.36%±1.92, for the 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 mg/l concentration of copper treatments, respectively. The results of ANOVA indicated the impact of copper on the survival of larvae B. variabilis was not significant (p> 0.05).

کلیدواژه ها:

Amphibian ، Copper ، Bufotes variabilis ، Survival