title: Metals, Parasites, and Environmental Conditions Affecting Breeding Populations of Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in Northern Arkansas, USA.
abstract: The spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) is indigenous to northern Arkansas, and several breeding sites are known to exist in the region. Spotted salamanders (n = 17) were collected and examined for parasites and only three females harbored nematodes (Physaloptera spp.). Chronic aquatic bioassays were conducted using water collected from eight breeding ponds during different hydroperiod events. No lethal or sublethal effects were measured in Ceriodaphnia dubia; however, decreased growth and survival were seen in Pimephales promelas. Aqueous, sediment, and salamander hepatic samples were analyzed for As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Ni. Metal analysis revealed possible increased metal exposure following precipitation, with greatest metal concentrations measured in sediment samples. Hepatic metal concentrations were similar in parasitized and non-parasitized individuals, and greatest Pb concentrations were measured following normal precipitation events. Determining environmental stressors of amphibians, especially during their breeding and subsequent larval life stage, is imperative to improve species conservation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, PO Box 599, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA. heather.demali@gmail.com.|Ecotoxicology Research Facility, Arkansas State University, PO Box 847, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA. heather.demali@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6159-1332
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: DeMali
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, PO Box 599, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA.
authors.forename: Stanley E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Trauth
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, PO Box 599, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA.|Ecotoxicology Research Facility, Arkansas State University, PO Box 847, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA.|Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, PO Box 2340, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bouldin
mesh_terms: D000557:Ambystoma / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001131:Arkansas; D001947:Breeding; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D010271:Parasites / Q000469:parasitology; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014867:Water
keywords: Amphibian; Aquatic bioassay; Breeding season; Precipitation; Toxicity; Water quality