Risk of predation enhances the lethal effects of UV‐B in amphibians

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.02010.x
• Publication Date: 2009-06-22T18:42:18Z
• Authors: LESLEY A. ALTON; ROBBIE S. WILSON; CRAIG E. FRANKLIN
• Keywords: Stressor

Abstract Amphibian declines are a prominent part of the global biodiversity crisis and have received special consideration because they occurred relatively recently, on scale, in seemingly pristine habitats where no obvious anthropogenic cause is apparent. Although several causes for been implicated, isolation singular has proven elusive. Consequently, it hypothesized that complex interactions between multiple environmental stressors, particularly those associated with change, may be responsible. Increasing ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B) stratospheric ozone depletion one such stressor considerable attention. UV‐B enhanced lethal effects when combined other factors as aquatic pH, contaminants, temperature pathogens, but little known how interacts pervasive biological risk predation. We exposed Limnodynastes peronii tadpoles to predatory chemical cues controlled laboratory experiment determine their independent interactive survival morphology. show predation interact synergistically enhance mortality above additive exposure affects ability morphologically respond (i.e. predator‐induced phenotypic plasticity), which implications an environment predators. This highlights importance considering both naturally occurring stressors examining underlying amphibian declines.