SREL Reprint #3247

Within- and among-population level difference in response to chronic copper exposure in southern toads, Anaxyrus terrestris

Stacey L. Lance, R. Wesley Flynn, Matthew R. Erickson, and David E. Scott

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA

Abstract: Environmental contaminants are implicated in the global decline of amphibian populations. Copper (Cu) is a widespread contaminant that can be toxic at concentrations just above the normal physiological range. In the present study we examined the effects of chronic Cu aqueous exposure on embryos and larvae of southern toads, Anaxyrus (Bufo) terrestris. Measurable levels of Cu were found in larvae, with tissue concentrations up to 27.5 µg Cu/g dry mass. Aqueous concentrations of Cu as low as 10 µg/L significantly reduced survival to the free-swimming stage and no larvae reached metamorphosis at concentrations above 15 µg/L. Clutches from populations with prior Cu exposure had the lowest survivorship. Among several populations there was significant variation in survivorship at different levels of Cu. More data are needed to understand the underlying causes of within- and among-population resilience to anthropogenic stressors.

Keywords: Anaxyrus (Bufo) terrestris, Amphibian, Copper, Ecotoxicology, Metal toxicity, Tolerance

SREL Reprint #3247

Lance, S. L., R. W. Flynn, M. R. Erickson, and D. E. Scott. 2013. Within- and among-population level difference in response to chronic copper exposure in southern toads, Anaxyrus terrestris. Environmental Pollution 17(2013): 135-142.

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