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The effects of atrazine on spotted salamander embryos and their symbiotic alga

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Abstract

Worldwide amphibian declines have been a concern for biologists for the past several decades. The causes of such declines may include habitat loss, invasive species, pathogens, and man-made chemicals. Agricultural herbicides, in particular, are known to interfere with reproduction in amphibians and are likely contributing to population declines. We tested the effects of the herbicide atrazine on developing spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) and their symbiotic green alga Oophila amblystomatis. We exposed spotted salamander egg masses to atrazine at concentrations of 0 μg/L (control), 50, 100, 200, and 400 μg/L. Algae were eliminated in all atrazine treatments. Hatching success was significantly lower for atrazine-treated egg masses than for the controls, and was inversely related to atrazine concentration. The highest developmental stage reached by the embryos was significantly lower in the atrazine treatments than in the controls, and was inversely related to atrazine concentration. These results indicate that atrazine exposure affected spotted salamanders both directly by causing pathologies and mortality in embryos and indirectly by eliminating their symbiotic alga.

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Acknowledgments

We conducted this study with IACUC approval (No. 2008-8717-015). For help, facilities, and supplies, we thank Cory Birdsong, Joey Bennett, Dr. Jeff Boundy, Dr. Paul Leberg, Dr. Paul Klerks, Wayne Olivier, and the Center for Ecology and Environmental Technology at UL Lafayette. For funding we thank the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the UL Lafayette Graduate Student Organization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, 70504-2451, USA

    Heather M. Olivier & Brad R. Moon

  2. 1780 Bushville hwy, Arnaudville, LA, 70512, USA

    Heather M. Olivier

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  1. Heather M. Olivier
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  2. Brad R. Moon
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Correspondence to Heather M. Olivier.

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Olivier, H.M., Moon, B.R. The effects of atrazine on spotted salamander embryos and their symbiotic alga. Ecotoxicology 19, 654–661 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-009-0437-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-009-0437-8

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