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Testing for Effects of UV‐B Radiation on Anti‐Predator Behavior in Amphibians: A Critique and Some Suggestions
Author(s) -
Cummins Clive P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0310.2002.00811.x
Subject(s) - amphibian , predator , ultraviolet radiation , context (archaeology) , biology , ecology , toxicology , environmental science , environmental chemistry , chemistry , predation , paleontology , radiochemistry
In a recent paper, Kats et al. (2000) reported three experiments intended to test for effects of UV‐B radiation (hereafter, UV‐B) on predator‐avoidance behaviors in three amphibian species. They introduced their study in the context of concern about increasing penetration of solar UV‐B to ground level, owing to loss of stratospheric ozone, and its possible effects on amphibian populations. Kats et al. concluded from their results: `ultraviolet exposure may have important sub‐lethal effects in amphibians that could adversely effect (sic) their fitness'. As Kats et al. cited field studies that apparently demonstrated lethal effects of ambient levels of UV‐B on amphibians, their conclusion that sub‐lethal effects may occur is not obviously contentious. Furthermore, their experiments appear to be based on accepted methods. Nevertheless, I contend that the conclusions drawn by Kats et al. are not justified by the results they reported. Here, I discuss some problems with their study and suggest some possible improvements for future studies.