Open AccessAmbient ultraviolet‐B radiation reduces hatchling size in the common frog Rana temporaria
Author(s) -
Pahkala Maarit,
Laurila Anssi,
Merilä Juha
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.2000.tb00171.x
Subject(s) - hatchling , rana , biology , growth rate , embryo , ultraviolet radiation , ultraviolet b radiation , zoology , ecology , genetics , anatomy , chemistry , hatching , geometry , mathematics , radiochemistry
Effects of ambient UV‐B radiation and pH on hatchability and early development of Rana temporaria embryos were studied in field experiments conducted at two sites in Sweden. In neither of the populations did we find clear evidence for reduced hatchability or increased frequency of developmental anomalies of embryos exposed to ambient UV‐B levels. However, in both populations hatchling size was significantly larger UV‐B blocked as compared to control treatments, suggesting that ambient UV‐B levels had a negative effect on early growth of embryos. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that the cellular UV‐B damage repair mechanisms are costly and trades‐off against early growth. Alternatively, UV‐B induced photoproducts inhibiting DNA‐transcription and thereby protein synthesis may directly reduce growth rate. Although low pH (5.0) had negative effects on hatchability and early embryonic growth, there was no evidence for synergistic effects of pH and UV‐B on hatchability, frequency of developmental anomalies or early growth. The results suggest that increased levels of UV‐B radiation may cause fitness loss in natural populations of the common frog.