SREL Reprint #2432

Incidence and impact of axial malformations in larval bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) developing in sites polluted by a coal-burning power plant

William A. Hopkins1, Justin Congdon1, and John K. Ray2

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA
2Louisiana Scholars' College, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71497, USA

Abstract: Amphibian malformations have recently received much attention from the scientific community, but few studies have provided evidence linking environmental pollution to larval amphibian malformation in the field. We document an increased incidence of axial malformations in bullfrog larvae (Rana catesbeiana) inhabiting two sites contaminated with coal combustion wastes. In the polluted sites, 18 and 37% of larvae exhibited lateral curvatures of the spine, whereas zero and 4% of larvae from two reference sites had similar malformations. Larvae from the most heavily polluted site had significantly higher tissue concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements, including As, Cd, Se, Cu, Cr, and V, compared with conspecifics from the reference sites. In addition, malformed larvae front the most contaminated site had decreased swimming speeds compared with those of normal larvae from the same site. We hypothesize that the complex mixture of contaminants produced by coal combustion is responsible for the high incidence of malfunctions and associated effects on swimming performance.

Keywords: Coal combustion wastes, Amphibians, Selenium, Malformations, Behavior

SREL Reprint #2432

Hopkins, W. A., J. Congdon, and J. K. Ray. 2000. Incidence and impact of axial malformations in larval bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) developing in sites polluted by a coal-burning power plant. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 19:862-868.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).