Effects of the herbicide imazapyr on juvenile Oregon spotted frogs
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
By: Amy E. Yahnke, Christian E. Grue, Marc P. Hayes, and Alexandra T. Troiano
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Abstract
Conflict between native amphibians and aquatic weed management in the Pacific Northwest is rarely recognized because most native stillwater-breeding amphibian species move upland during summer, when herbicide application to control weeds in aquatic habitats typically occurs. However, aquatic weed management may pose a risk for aquatic species present in wetlands through the summer, such as the Oregon spotted frog (OSF, Rana pretiosa), a state endangered species in Washington. Acute toxicity of herbicides used to control aquatic weeds tends to be low, but the direct effects of herbicide tank mixes on OSFs have remained unexamined. We exposed juvenile OSFs to tank mixes of the herbicide imazapyr, a surfactant, and a marker dye in a 96-h static-renewal test. The tank mix was chosen because of its low toxicity to fish and its effectiveness in aquatic weed control. Concentrations were those associated with low-volume (3.5 L/ha) and high-volume (7.0 L/ha) applications of imazapyr and a clean-water control. Following exposure, frogs were reared for two months in clean water to identify potential latent effects on growth. Endpoints evaluated included feeding behavior, growth, and body and liver condition indices. We recorded no mortalities and found no significant differences for any end point between the herbicide-exposed and clean-water control frogs. The results suggest that imazapyr use in wetland restoration poses a low risk of direct toxic effects on juvenile OSFs.
Suggested Citation
Yahnke, A.E., Grue, C.E., Hayes, M.P., Troiano, A.T., 2013, Effects of the herbicide imazapyr on juvenile Oregon spotted frogs: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 32, no. 1, p. 228-235, https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.2048.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Effects of the herbicide imazapyr on juvenile Oregon spotted frogs |
| Series title | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| DOI | 10.1002/etc.2048 |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication Date | November 12, 2012 |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Publisher location | Hoboken, NJ |
| Contributing office(s) | Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit |
| Description | 8 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| First page | 228 |
| Last page | 235 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |