Effects of insecticides on a phytotelmata-breeding amphibian

Environ Toxicol Chem. 2017 Feb;36(2):422-428. doi: 10.1002/etc.3555. Epub 2016 Aug 22.

Abstract

Information on the impact of pesticides on amphibian species breeding in phytotelmata (water bodies within plants) is totally lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the insecticide malathion on larvae of Phyllodytes luteolus. Individuals were exposed to ecologically relevant concentrations of malathion (commercial formulation) for 16 d under laboratory conditions. Malathion had a lethal effect that allowed the authors to hypothesize that phtytotelmata-breeding species are likely as vulnerable to pollution as pond breeders. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:422-428. © 2016 SETAC.

Keywords: Amphibians; Bromeliads; Pesticides; Phyllodytes luteolus; Tropical ecotoxicology.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anura / growth & development*
  • Brazil
  • Breeding
  • Bromelia / chemistry
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Insecticides / analysis
  • Insecticides / toxicity*
  • Larva / drug effects*
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Malathion / analysis
  • Malathion / toxicity*
  • Pesticides / pharmacology
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Pesticides
  • Water
  • Malathion