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The effects of nitrite on behavior and metamorphosis in cascades frogs ( Rana cascadae )
Author(s) -
Marco Adolfo,
Blaustein Andrew R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620180519
Subject(s) - metamorphosis , larva , amphibian , biology , nitrite , tadpole (physics) , rana , zoology , developmental stage , predation , ecology , anatomy , nitrate , psychology , developmental psychology , physics , particle physics
Amphibian metamorphosis is a period of drastic morphologic reorganization, during which larvae experience a decrease in locomotor ability and are more vulnerable to predation. Our results indicate that exposure to sublethal concentrations of nitrite in the water induces behavioral and morphologic changes in the Cascades frog ( Rana cascadae ). Tadpoles exposed to a nitrite concentration of N‐NO 2 ‐ at 3.5 mg/L transformed more slowly than control tadpoles exposed to dechlorinated tap water. No difference 2 was found in time at emergence and snout—vent length at emergence between experimental and control tadpoles, but development was retarded in tadpoles exposed to nitrite and they emerged at an earlier developmental stage. Also, tadpoles exposed to nitrite occupied shallow water more frequently than did control tadpoles.