Effect of ultraviolet radiation and temperature in Larval development of Anura

Author(s)

Vanessa Araujo Soares da Cunha

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2014-09-12

Examining board members

Tiana Kohlsdorf; Fernando Ribeiro Gomes; Carlos Arturo Navas Iannini

• Advisor: Tiana Kohlsdorf

Abstract

Populations of several amphibian species experienced a severe global decline in the past decades, which has been documented in diverse geographic regions. Several factors seem associated with amphibians decline, among them climate change may represent a major threat due to the sensibility of these animals to accelerated rates of environmental change. The increased incidence of ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) on the Earth\'s surface may trigger several negative impacts on amphibians, including reduced growth, increased genotoxic effects, limited locomotor performance and increased mortality rates. Such UVB effects may be influenced by environmental temperature, because in the cold the metabolism is reduced, affecting growth, locomotor performance, and activity of enzymes that repair DNA damage induced by UVB. The present study investigated likely interactions between effects of UVB exposure and temperature during the development of anuran tadpoles. Results showed that exposing tadpoles to UVB at high temperatures resulted in phenotypes with increased survival probability in natural environments, which contrasts with predictions of negative consequences imposed by the depletion in the ozone layer and the global warming. Furthermore, tadpoles exposed to UVB at low temperature exhibited reduced locomotor performance, increased mortality rates, and possibly lower efficiency of DNA repair. In conclusion, this dissertation comprises results that sustain existence of synergistic effects between UVB exposure and environmental temperature. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/02030-1 - The effect of ultraviolet radiation and temperature on the development of Rhinella tadpoles (Anura: Bufonidae): a population approach
• Grantee: Vanessa Araujo Soares da Cunha
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master