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Effects of Water Contamination on Site Selection by Amphibians: Experiences from an Arena Approach With European Frogs and Newts

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Abstract

Pesticide residues in breeding ponds can cause avoidance by at least some amphibian species. So far, outdoor experiments have been performed only with artificial pools in areas where the focus species usually occur and new colonization has been observed. Results of this kind of study are potentially influenced by natural disturbances and therefore are of limited comparability. We used an easily manufactured and standardizable arena approach, in which animals in reproductive condition for some hours had a choice among pools with different concentrations of a contaminant. Because there has been much debate on the potential environmental impacts of glyphosate-based herbicides, we investigated the impact of glyphosate isopropylamine salt (GLY-IS), Roundup LB PLUS (RU-LB-PLUS), and glyphosate’s main metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) on individual residence time in water. The following European amphibian species were tested: Common frog (Rana temporaria), Palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus), and Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris). The residence time in water was not significantly affected by concentrations below or slightly above the European Environmental Quality Standards for AMPA or the German “worst-case” expected environmental concentrations for GLY-IS and RU-LB-PLUS. Occasionally, microclimatic cofactors (nightly minimum ground temperature, water temperature) apparently influenced the residence time. The major drawback of such quick behavior studies is that results can only be transferred to perception and avoidance of contaminated water but not easily to site selection by amphibians. For example, testing oviposition site selection requires more natural water bodies and more time. Hence, to develop a standard procedure in risk assessment, an intermediate design between an arena approach, as presented here, and previously performed field studies should be tested.

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Acknowledgments

Permissions to conduct the experiments were obtained by the Landesuntersuchungsamt (Koblenz, Germany) and the Struktur und Genehmigungsdirektion Nord (Koblenz, Germany). N. W. is grateful for financial support from the Graduiertenkolleg at Trier University, which was funded by the German Research Foundation. We are grateful to Willy Werner and Frank Thomas for creating the testing area at the Department of Geobotany, Trier University, available to us. Rainer Ruff and Theresa Scheuren helped with observations and construction of the arenas. Ulrich Schulte helped with frog and newt collecting. Furthermore, we are grateful to Bernd Fontaine for technical support and to Kate Pond for improving the language of the manuscript. Axel Hochkirch, Katharina Wollenberg Vallero, and Michael Veith provided important discussion on the study design and analyses.

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  1. Biogeography Department, Faculty of Geography/Geosciences, Trier University, Universitätsring 15, 54296, Trier, Germany

    Norman Wagner & Stefan Lötters

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  1. Norman Wagner
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  2. Stefan Lötters
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Correspondence to Norman Wagner.

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Wagner, N., Lötters, S. Effects of Water Contamination on Site Selection by Amphibians: Experiences from an Arena Approach With European Frogs and Newts. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 65, 98–104 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-013-9873-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-013-9873-9

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