Lethal and sublethal measures of chronic copper toxicity in the eastern narrowmouth toad, Gastrophryne carolinensis

Journal Article · Fri Feb 20 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.2835· OSTI ID:1401832

Flynn, R. Wesley ^[1]; Scott, David E. ^[1]; Kuhne, Wendy ^[2]; Soteropoulos, Diana ^[1]; Lance, Stacey L. ^[3]

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1. Savannah River Ecology Laboratory University of Georgia Aiken South Carolina USA
2. Savannah River National Laboratory, Department of Energy University of Georgia, Aiken South Carolina USA, Department of Biology University of South Carolina‐Aiken Aiken South Carolina USA
3. Department of Biology University of South Carolina‐Aiken Aiken South Carolina USA

Abstract Many metals are acutely toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations and for some metals, such as copper (Cu), even low‐level chronic contamination may be cause for conservation concern. Amphibian susceptibility to Cu has been examined in only a few species, and susceptibility is highly variable. The lethal and sublethal effects were examined of chronic aqueous Cu exposure on embryonic and larval eastern narrowmouth toads, Gastrophryne carolinensis . Copper levels as low as 10 μg Cu/L reduced embryonic and larval survival. Embryonic survivorship varied within‐ and between‐source populations, with embryos derived from uncontaminated‐wetland parents having greater survival at lower Cu levels than embryos from parents from a metal‐contaminated constructed wetland. At 30 μg/L, embryos from the contaminated site had greater survival. Overall survival from oviposition to metamorphosis was 68.9% at 0 μg/L and 5.4% at 10 μg/L. Similarly, embryos exposed to ≥50 μg/L demonstrated developmental delays in transition from embryo to free‐swimming larva. These results demonstrate a negative population‐specific response to environmentally relevant levels of Cu. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:575–582. © 2014 SETAC

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1401832
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Vol. 34 Journal Issue: 3; ISSN 0730-7268
• Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English