Impaired terrestrial and arboreal locomotor performance in the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) after exposure to an AChE-inhibiting pesticide.
We examined the effects of a commonly used AChE-inhibiting pesticide on terrestrial and arboreal sprint performance, important traits for predator avoidance and prey capture, in the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis). Lizards were exposed to carbaryl (2.5, 25, and 250 microg/g) and were raced before and 4, 24, and 96 h after dosing. In the terrestrial setting, exposure to low concentrations of carbaryl had stimulatory effects on performance, but exposure to the highest concentration was inhibitory. No stimulatory effects of carbaryl were noted in the arboreal environment and performance in lizards was reduced after exposure to both the medium and highest dose of carbaryl. Our findings suggest that acute exposure to high concentrations of carbaryl can have important sublethal consequences on fitness-related traits in reptiles and that arboreal locomotor performance is a more sensitive indicator of AChE-inhibiting pesticide poisoning than terrestrial locomotor performance.
DuRant
Sarah E
SE
Wildlife Ecotoxicology and Physiological Ecology Program, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 444 Latham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Hopkins
William A
WA
Talent
Larry G
LG
D000818:Animals; D012721:Carbaryl / Q000633:toxicity*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008116:Lizards / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007306:Insecticides; D012721:Carbaryl