scholarly journals Short- and long-term consequences of developmental saline stress: impacts on anuran respiration and behaviour

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 150640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. Kearney ◽  
Phillip G. Byrne ◽  
Richard D. Reina
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Escape Response ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Saline Stress ◽  
Tree Frog ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Secondary Salinization ◽  
Elevated Salinity ◽  
Foraging Ability ◽  
Species Specific

Secondary salinization has been identified as a major stressor to amphibians. Exposure to elevated salinity necessitates physiological adjustments and biochemical changes that may be energetically demanding. As such, exposure to non-lethal levels of salinity during development could potentially alter anuran metabolic rates and individual performance in both pre- and post-metamorphic life stages. We investigated the effects of non-lethal levels of salinity on metamorphic traits (time to reach metamorphosis and metamorphic mass), tadpole oxygen consumption, escape response behaviour (pre- and post-metamorphosis) and foraging ability post-metamorphosis in two native Australian frog species, the southern brown tree frog ( Litoria ewingii ) and the striped marsh frog ( Limnodynastes peronii ). We found that both Lit. ewingii and Lim. peronii exhibited differences in metamorphic traits in response to elevated salinity. Neither species showed significant change in oxygen consumption during development in response to salinity, relative to freshwater controls. Both species displayed impaired escape response behaviours in response to salinity during larval development, but flow-on effects to adult escape response behaviours and foraging performance were species-specific. Our results show that the influence of stressors during development can have consequences for anuran physiology and behaviour at multiple life stages, and emphasize the need for studies that examine the energetics of anuran responses in order to better understand the responses of biota to stressful environments.

Rapid diagnosis of the economically important fruit fly, Bactrocera correcta (Diptera: Tephritidae) based on a species-specific barcoding cytochrome oxidase I marker

2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Jiang ◽  
Z.H. Li ◽  
Y.L. Deng ◽  
J.J. Wu ◽  
R.S. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome Oxidase ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Cytochrome Oxidase I ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Molecular Technique ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Specific Primer ◽  
Mtdna Coi ◽  
Bactrocera Correcta ◽  
Species Specific

AbstractThe guava fruit fly, Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an invasive pest of fruit and vegetable crops that primarily inhabits Southeast Asia and which has the potential to become a major threat within both the Oriental and Australian oceanic regions as well as California and Florida. In light of the threat posed, it is important to develop a rapid, accurate and reliable method to identify B. correcta in quarantine work in order to provide an early warning to prevent its widespread invasion. In the present study, we describe a species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay for the diagnosis of B. correcta using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (mtDNA COI) barcoding genes. A B. correcta-specific primer pair was designed according to variations in the mtDNA COI barcode sequences among 14 fruit fly species. The specificity and sensitivity of the B. correcta-specific primer pair was tested based on the presence or absence of a band in the gel profile. A pair of species-specific B. correcta primers was successfully designed and named BCOR-F/BCOR-R. An ∼280 bp fragment was amplified from specimens belonging to 17 geographical populations and four life stages of B. correcta, while no such diagnostic bands were present in any of the 14 other related fruit fly species examined. Sensitivity test results demonstrated that successful amplification can be obtained with as little as 1 ng μl−1 of template DNA. The species-specific PCR analysis was able to successfully diagnose B. correcta, even in immature life stages, and from adult body parts. This method proved to be a robust single-step molecular technique for the diagnosis of B. correcta with respect to potential plant quarantine.

Variability of Echiniscus tristis Gąsiorek & Kristensen, 2018—is morphology sufficient for taxonomic differentiation of Echiniscidae?

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4701 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
TOMASZ BARTYLAK ◽  
ADAM KULPA ◽  
DARIA GROBYS ◽  
MARTA KEPEL ◽  
ANDRZEJ KEPEL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Significant Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Microscope Images ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Taxonomic Confusion ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Range Of Variation

The majority of species in the genus Echiniscus (Heterotardigrada) have been described based on differences in the chaetotaxy or dorsal sculpture. Dorsal sculpture is, in general, considered to be species-specific and not very variable; however, many problems have arisen due to various interpretations of microscope images, which has led to taxonomic confusion in the genus Echiniscus. Conversely, chaetotaxy is generally much easier to interpret, even using low-quality microscope optics. In this study, we emended the description of Madagascan population of Echiniscus tristis Gąsiorek & Kristensen, 2018 that exhibits several different types of chaetotaxy and dorsal sculpture. The analysed specimens were characterised by two types of chaetotaxy, A-C-Dd-E and A-Dd-E, but we also found a wide range of variation in appendage number, shape and length. The observed differences are partly correlated with life stages. Additionally, we analysed DNA sequences of 28S rRNA, ITS-2 and COI of the two main morphotypes, and did not find significant genetic differentiation of the two morphotypes. This highlights the importance of analysing the morphology of both immature stages and adults, as well as of DNA markers in tardigrade species identification. 

scholarly journals Species-specific impacts of suspended sediments on gill structure and function in coral reef fishes

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1866) ◽  
pp. 20171279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sybille Hess ◽  
Leteisha J. Prescott ◽  
Andrew S. Hoey ◽  
Shannon A. McMahon ◽  
Amelia S. Wenger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Suspended Sediment ◽  
Suspended Sediments ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Gill Structure ◽  
Mechanistic Basis ◽  
Metabolic Performance ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Sediment Exposure

Reduced water quality, in particular increases in suspended sediments, has been linked to declines in fish abundance on coral reefs. Changes in gill structure induced by suspended sediments have been hypothesized to impair gill function and may provide a mechanistic basis for the observed declines; yet, evidence for this is lacking. We exposed juveniles of three reef fish species ( Amphiprion melanopus , Amphiprion percula and Acanthochromis polyacanthus ) to suspended sediments (0–180 mg l −1 ) for 7 days and examined changes in gill structure and metabolic performance (i.e. oxygen consumption). Exposure to suspended sediments led to shorter gill lamellae in A. melanopus and A. polyacanthus and reduced oxygen diffusion distances in all three species. While A. melanopus exhibited impaired oxygen uptake after suspended sediment exposure, i.e. decreased maximum and increased resting oxygen consumption rates resulting in decreased aerobic scope, the oxygen consumption rates of the other two species remained unaffected. These findings imply that species sensitive to changes in gill structure such as A. melanopus may decline in abundance as reefs become more turbid, whereas species that are able to maintain metabolic performance despite suspended sediment exposure, such as A. polyacanthus or A. percula , may be able to persist or gain a competitive advantage.

Embryonic development of the tree frog, Hyla arborea

Biologia ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferah Sayim ◽  
Uğur Kaya
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Tree Frog ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Total Length ◽  
Hyla Arborea ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Original Photographs ◽  
Species Specific

AbstractA staged series with time data and original photographs of the embryonic development of the tree frog, Hyla arborea are presented, following Gosner’s generalized table. To contribute to species specific embryological studies of anurans, the external features of development of this species were described. Duration of embryonic development, from fertilization to 25th stage, is about 9 days at 20 ± 1 °C. Cleavage is holoblastic and unequal. Unlike the typical anuran development, neurular rotation was not observed in stage 15 or in any other stages. Other developmental stages resulted in a normal-looking. Embryos of H. arborea hatched at stage 20 or 21, which varied individually. Hatching occurred in the 4th or 5th day after fertilization. The mean total length of hatchlings was calculated as 6.38 mm. The mean size of ovum was estimated 1.4 mm in diameter.

scholarly journals Road salt compromises functional morphology of larval gills in populations of an amphibian

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard V. Szeligowski ◽  
Jules A. Scanley ◽  
Christine C. Broadbridge ◽  
Steven P. Brady
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Ion Exchange ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Rana Sylvatica ◽  
Early Life History ◽  
Lower Surface ◽  
Secondary Salinization ◽  
Elevated Salinity ◽  
Gill Morphology

AbstractThroughout much of the world, winter deicing practices have led to secondary salinization of freshwater habitats, where numerous taxa are vulnerable to elevated salinity. Many amphibians are of particular concern because of their permeable skin and reliance on small ponds and pools, where salinity levels can be high. The early life-history stages of amphibians that develop in these habitats are especially sensitive to salt exposure. Larvae developing in salt-polluted environments must osmoregulate through ion exchange in gills. While salt-induced changes to the physiology of ion exchange in amphibian gills is generally understood, functionally relevant changes in gill morphology remain poorly described. Yet the structure of gills should be an important component affecting their ionoregulatory capacity, for instance in terms available surface area. Larval amphibian gills also play critical roles in gas exchange and foraging. Thus, changes in gill morphology due to salt pollution potentially affect not only osmoregulation, but also respiration and feeding. Here, we used a chronic exposure experiment to quantify the effect of salinity on larval gill morphology in populations of the wood frog (Rana sylvatica). We measured a suite of morphological traits on gill tufts, where ionoregulation and gas exchange occur, and on gill filters, which are used in feeding. Larvae raised in high salinity conditions had gill tufts with lower surface area to volume ratio, while epithelial cells on these tufts were less circular but occurred at higher densities. Gill filters showed increased spacing, which can potentially reduce their efficiency in filtering food particles. Together, these changes seem likely to diminish the ionoregulatory and respiratory capacity of gill tufts, and compromise feeding functionality of gill filters. Thus, a singular change in the aquatic environment from a widespread pollutant has the potential to generate a suite of consequences via changes in gill morphology. Critically, this suite of negative effects is likely most detrimental in salinized environments, where ionoregulatory demands are higher, which in turn should increase respiratory demands along with energy acquisition demands through foraging.

scholarly journals The effects of familiarity on escape responses in the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayley L. Wolcott ◽  
Alfredo F. Ojanguren ◽  
Miguel Barbosa
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Escape Response ◽  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Early Life Stages ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Reactive Distance ◽  
Escape Responses ◽  
Predator Evasion

Predation is the main cause of mortality during early life stages. The ability to avoid and evade potential threats is, therefore, favoured to evolve during the early stages of life. It is also during these early stages that the process of familiarization occurs. It has long been recognized that associating with familiar individuals confers antipredator benefits. Yet gaps in our knowledge remain about how predator evasion is affected by social experience during early stages. In this study, we test the hypothesis that familiarization acquired during early life stages improves escape responses. Using the guppy Poecilia reticulata, we examine the effect of different recent social conditions in the three main components of predator evasion. Using high-speed motion analysis, we compared the number of individuals in each test group that responded to a visual stimulus, their reactive distance and magnitude of their response (maximum speed, maximum acceleration and distance) in groups composed either of familiar or non-familiar individuals. Contrary to the prediction, groups composed of familiar individuals were less responsive than groups of unfamiliar individuals. Reactive distance and magnitude of response were more dependent on individual size rather than on familiarity. Larger individuals reached higher maximum speeds and total distances in their escape response. Our result indicates that familiarity is likely to affect behaviour earlier in a predator-prey interaction, which then affects the behavioural component of the response. Taken together, our study contributes to previous ones by distinguishing which components of an escape response are modulated by familiarity.

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