Thesis
The effects of 2, 4 --Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on swim performance in larval long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum)
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2007
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103697
Abstract
The effects of sublethal amounts of herbicides on amphibians is poorly understood yet may contribute to amphibian population declines. In this study we tested the effects of environmentally relevant amounts of the herbicide 2, 4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) on sprint swim performance of a larval salamander native to the Palouse, Ambystoma macrodactylum. Larvae were collected from five different ponds which had endogenous levels of 2, 4-D ranging from 0 ppm to 0.0034 ppm. In the laboratory, larvae were exposed to one of 6 treatments of 2, 4-D: 18 ppm, 1.8 ppm, 0.18 ppm, 0.018 ppm, 0.0018 ppm and a control. Swim performance, body mass and snout-vent length were measured on each individual four times between 24 and 334 hours after exposure. Although we hypothesized an effect of 2, 4-D treatment on salamander swim performance, our results were not significant; exposure to 2, 4-D in the lab did not affect swim speed or body mass. However, there was a significant effect of pond on swim speed and body mass: salamanders from ponds with lower endogenous levels of 2, 4-D were larger and had faster swim speeds. This may have been caused by the differing amounts of 2, 4-D found naturally in the ponds, although other environmental or genetic factors can not currently be ruled out. Other studies indicate that amphibian eggs or hatchlings exposure to herbicides or pesticides can negatively impact individuals as they grow and develop. Future research on effects of 2, 4-D on Ambystoma macrodactylum should make use of common garden experiments on eggs and hatchlings to identify the underlying causes of the results reported herein.
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Details
- Title
- The effects of 2, 4 --Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on swim performance in larval long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum)
- Creators
- Amanda Patricia Castro
- Contributors
- Patrick A. Carter (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525078701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis