Encyclopedia of Aquatic Ecotoxicology

2013 Edition
| Editors: Jean-François Férard, Christian Blaise

Amphibian Ecotoxicology

Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5704-2_4
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Synonyms

Amphibian ecotoxicity; Environmental impacts on amphibians

Glossary

Abnormalities

General term referring to any gross deviation from the normal range in morphological variation and includes both malformations and deformities (Johnson et al. 2010).

Anuran

Amphibian species of the order Anura (or Salientia), characterized by the absence of a tail and very long and powerful hind legs specialized for hopping. The group includes true frogs, tree frogs, and toads.

Biphasic-life amphibians

Amphibians having a life cycle involving aquatic eggs and larvae that metamorphose into terrestrial or semiaquatic juveniles and adults.

Caecilians

A poorly known order (Gymnophiona) of amphibians characterized by elongated segmented bodies. In contrast to other amphibians, caecilians typically lack any kind of appendage (limb) making the larger species (up to 1.5 m) resemble eels and the smaller worms. Caecilians are mostly found in tropical habitats in South America, Africa, and Southern Asia.

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Notes

Acknowledgments

Special thanks are due to Christopher Blanar, Jason Rohr, and David Marcogliese for their valuable suggestions and comments on the draft version of this entry.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Aquatic Biodiversity Section, Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research DivisionWater Science and Technology Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, St. Lawrence Centre, Environment CanadaMontrealCanada