Effects of two stressors on amphibian larval development.
In parallel with a renewed interest in nuclear power and its possible environmental impacts, a new environmental radiation protection system calls for environmental indicators of radiological stress. However, because environmental stressors seldom occur alone, this study investigated the combined effects of an ecological stressor (larval density) and an anthropogenic stressor (ionizing radiation) on amphibians. Scaphiopus holbrookii tadpoles reared at different larval densities were exposed to four low irradiation dose rates (0.13, 2.4, 21, and 222 mGy d(-1)) from (137)Cs during the sensitive period prior to and throughout metamorphosis. Body size at metamorphosis and development rate served as fitness correlates related to population dynamics. Results showed that increased larval density decreased body size but did not affect development rate. Low dose rate radiation had no impact on either endpoint.
Department of Systems Ecology, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden; Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA. Electronic address: karolina.stark@ecology.su.se.
Karolina
K
Stark
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA.
David E
DE
Scott
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, 1100S. Limestone St., Lexington KY 40546, USA.
Olga
O
Tsyusko
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA.
Daniel P
DP
Coughlin
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; Department of Radioecology, Environmental Modeling and Ecotoxicology; Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, Cadarache, 13115 France.
Thomas G
TG
Hinton
D000663:Amphibians; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000254:growth & development; D049628:Body Size / Q000528:radiation effects; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000633:toxicity; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011156:Population Density; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000633:toxicity*
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive