Effects of ultraviolet radiation and degraded water quality on growth and survival of Bufo marinus tadpoles, May 2009

Alternative Title

Efectos de las radiaciones ultravioletas y degradación del agua en el crecimiento y la sobrevivencia de los renacuajos Bufo marinus

Creator

Brenna Levine

Files

Publication Date

May 2009

Abstract

Amphibian species worldwide are currently experiencing population declines and decreased ranges. This decrease in amphibian populations is due in part to habitat degradation such as canopy cover loss and decreased water quality. Other amphibian species, however, such as Bufo marinus, are experiencing population growth and global expansion. In this study, I tested the effects of loss of canopy cover and degraded water quality on growth and survival of B. marinus tadpoles by exposing them to conditions of elevated levels of ultraviolet radiation, degraded water quality, and a combination of these two factors. I found that B. marinus tadpoles have high survivorship and low rates of mortality when exposed to ultraviolet radiation and degraded water quality separately. When these two environmental stresses are combined, however, B. marinus tadpoles experience low survivorship and high rates of mortality. These results provide insight into why B. marinus is experiencing population expansions, population increases, and why it has become an invasive species in many countries while native anurans are going extinct.

Resumen

Alrededor del mundo las especies de anfibios están actualmente experimentando un descenso en las poblaciones y en el rango de distribución. Esta disminución en las poblaciones de anfibios se debe en parte a la degradación del hábitat, tales como la pérdida de la cobertura del dosel y la disminución en la calidad del agua. Otras especies de anfibios, sin embargo, como Bufo marinus, están experimentando un crecimiento en las poblaciones y expandiéndose globalmente. En este estudio, yo analice los efectos que ejerce la perdida de cobertura del dosel y la degradación de la calidad del agua en el crecimiento y sobrevivencia de renacuajos de B. marinus exponiéndolos a condiciones de elevada radiación ultravioleta, degradación de la calidad del agua y la combinación de estos factores.

Keywords

Tadpoles, Renacuajos, Bufo marinus, Anura, CIEE Spring 2009, CIEE Primavera 2009

Extent

9 pages

Geographic Location

Cerro Plano (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00515

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Levine, Brenna, "Effects of ultraviolet radiation and degraded water quality on growth and survival of Bufo marinus tadpoles, May 2009" (2009). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 283.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/283