Maternal Transfer of Contaminants in Eastern Narrow-Mouth Toads
Author Information
Author(s): William Alexander Hopkins, Sarah Elizabeth DuRant, Brandon Patrick Staub, Christopher Lee Rowe, Brian Phillip Jackson
Primary Institution: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Hypothesis
We hypothesized that disruption of normal development due to maternal transfer of Se and/or other elements may partially underlie observations of low recruitment of juveniles from contaminated wetlands.
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that maternal transfer of contaminants, particularly selenium, can significantly reduce offspring viability in amphibians.
Supporting Evidence
- Adult toads from the contaminated site transferred significant quantities of selenium and strontium to their eggs.
- Hatching success was reduced by 11% in clutches from the contaminated site compared to the reference site.
- Developmental abnormalities were 55–58% more frequent in larvae from the contaminated site.
Takeaway
This study found that toads living near a coal power plant passed harmful chemicals to their eggs, which made the baby toads less likely to survive.
Methodology
Toads were collected from contaminated and reference sites, and their eggs were analyzed for contaminant concentrations and developmental success.
Limitations
The study only tracked development for the first 96 hours, and the long-term effects of maternal transfer were not assessed.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on eastern narrow-mouth toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis) from contaminated and reference sites in South Carolina.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website