Initial | Fragmentation | Amphibians | Bats | Monitoring | SIVAM
Using Amphibians as Indicator Species
Why monitor
amphibians?
The relevant defining characteristic of amphibians
that sets them apart from other creatures is the fact that
they absorb a great deal of chemicals through their skin as
well as through the thin, moist linings of their mouth and
throat. This makes them especially
sensitive to pollution present in the environment. In
addition to their wide distribution and large numbers
throughout the rainforest, they make an ideal set of animals
for the monitoring of toxin levels in the rainforest. They
also constitute a large enough food base for predators and a
large enough controlling force for insects and other
animals that any disruption in the population numbers of this
group of animals is likely to cause upheaval in the Amazonian
food web.
Miscellaneous Chemicals of Possible Importance to the Project
(copper
from mining, etc.)
CHEMICAL SPECIE LIFE STAGE
CONCENTRATION (mg/L) PERIOD OF EXPOSURE (hours)
Copper Oxychloride Xenopus
dose of
0.007-0.008% 48
Copper Sulfate Xenopus laevis
1.7
48
Ethyl Acetate Xenopus laevis 3-4 weeks
180
48
Saccharin Xenopus laevis embryo
17.94
(17.60-18.30) mg/mL 96
Anthracene Rana pipiens embryo
0.065
24
(after 30 min exposure to sunlight)
0.25 24
(after 5 hrs exposure to sunlight)
Flouranthene Rana pipiens embryo
0.09
24
Carbaryl Xenopus laevis embryo
4.7
(3.9-5.6) 24
Works Cited:
1) Tyning, Thomas F. Stokes Nature Guides: A Guide to
Amphibians and
Reptiles. Little, Brown and Company. c1990.
2) Devillers, J. and Exbrayat, J. M. Exotoxicity of Chemicals
to
Amphibians. Garden and Breach Science Publishers. c1992.
3) Cockell, Charles S. Ecosystems, Evolution, and Ultraviolet
Radiation. Springer-Verlag. c2001.
4) Devillers, J., Exbrayat J. M. Exotoxicity of Chemical to
Amphibians. Garden and Breach
Science Publishers. c1992.