Deteriorating waterways: The effect of nitrate pollution on the development and physiology of the endangered southern bell frog (Litoria raniformis)

Brittney McLean; Essie M. Rodgers

doi:10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106670

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Deteriorating waterways: The effect of nitrate pollution on the development and physiology of the endangered southern bell frog (Litoria raniformis)

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Deteriorating waterways: The effect of nitrate pollution on the development and physiology of the endangered southern bell frog (Litoria raniformis)

Brittney McLean and Essie M. Rodgers

Aquatic toxicology, Vol.262, 106670

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106670

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Abstract

Amphibian

Ecotoxicology

Energy homeostasis

Eutrophication

Metabolism

Nutrient pollution

Tadpole

Nitrogen-based fertilizers can increase agricultural yields and crop quality, but this comes at the risk of contaminating nearby waterways. Nitrate is the most stable and abundant form of inorganic nitrogen in the environment and chronic exposure can impair performance and fitness in aquatically respiring species. But it remains unknown if these impairments are linked to disruptions in energy homeostasis. Here, we investigated the energetic cost of living in nitrate contaminated waters during early, energy-limited, larval life stages in the endangered southern bell frog (Litoria raniformis). We hypothesised that chronic nitrate exposure during development would increase energetic costs, evidenced by reductions in growth rates and body sizes, and elevations in routine heart rate (RHR) and routine metabolic rate (RMR). Following hatching, larvae were exposed to one of three nitrate treatments (0, 25 and 50 mg NO3−L−1) for 12 weeks, and survival, growth, RHR, and RMR were measured. Survival rates were similar across all treatments. Nitrate exposure caused a reduction in growth rates, resulting in larvae with significantly smaller body sizes. Compared to controls, nitrate-exposed larvae were 12% and 18% smaller in total length in the 25 and 50 mgNO3−L−1 treatments, respectively. However, RHR and RMR were independent of nitrate exposure, indicating that the ‘cost of living’ was similar across treatments. Observed growth reductions were therefore independent of RHR and RMR, suggesting other mechanisms were involved. Taken together, these results highlight the vulnerability of L. raniformis to nitrate during early life and suggest that the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers near critical aquatic habitats will be harmful.

Details

Title: Deteriorating waterways: The effect of nitrate pollution on the development and physiology of the endangered southern bell frog (Litoria raniformis)
Authors/Creators: Brittney McLean - School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Essie M. Rodgers - Murdoch University, School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Publication Details: Aquatic toxicology, Vol.262, 106670
Publisher: Elsevier B.V
Identifiers: 991005602263607891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.790 Amphibian Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology; Toxicology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science