Effects of Increased Salinity on Growth, Development and Survival in Early Life Stages of the Green Toad Bufotes variabilis (Anura: Bufonidae)

• Published in: Asian Herpetological Research 2018-01, Vol.9 (2), p.129-134
• Main Authors: Yaghobi, Soheyla, Vaissi, Somaye, Khas, Zeynab Taheri, Sharifi, Mozafar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anura; Chemistry; Chronic toxicity; Climate change; Eggs; Embryogenesis; Frogs; Hatching; Morphology; Mortality; Ponds; Rana temporaria; Reptiles & amphibians; Roads & highways; Salinity; Salinity effects; Survival; Toads; Water salinity; Wetlands
• ISSN: 2095-0357
• DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.170083

This study examined the effects of increased salinity on growth, development and survival of the Green toad, Bufotes variabilis during embryonic, hatching and early larval periods. Eggs from a single cohort of B. variabilis were subjected to acute and chronic toxicity tests for water salinity ranging from 0.20 to 10 g of salt per liter. Results obtained from this study showed that salinity over 3.70 g/l increased embryonic mortality and reduced percentage of hatching and survival rate of larvae. As larvae tolerated salinity 0.20 to 3.70 g/l with highest survival, but salinity of 10 g/l caused mortality of all individuals within 12 h, 7.70-8.70 (g/l) within 4.5 days, 5.70-6.70 g/l within 10 days and 4.70 (g/l) were tolerated within 14 days. Salinity less than 0.70 g/l did not affect survival and hatching success of the embryos. After a 3-week experiment, size of larvae exposed to salinities over 0.70 g/l was lower compared to larvae reared at lower salinity levels. Meanwhile increases in salinity more than 3.70 g/l caused extension in the hatching period. Larvae reared at salinity of 3.70 to 4.70 g/l had morphological abnormalities, such as distortion of tail.