This study examined the effects of increased salinity on growth, development and survival of the Green toad, Bufotes variabilis during embryonic, hatching and early larval periods. Eggs from a single cohort of B. vari...This study examined the effects of increased salinity on growth, development and survival of the Green toad, Bufotes variabilis during embryonic, hatching and early larval periods. Eggs from a single cohort of B. variabilis were subjected to acute and chronic toxicity tests for water salinity ranging from 0.20 to 10 g of salt per liter. Results obtained from this study showed that salinity over 3.70 g/l increased embryonic mortality and reduced percentage of hatching and survival rate of larvae. As larvae tolerated salinity 0.20 to 3.70 g/l with highest survival, but salinity of 10 g/l caused mortality of all individuals within 12 h, 7.70-8.70 (g/l) within 4.5 days, 5.70-6.70 g/l within 10 days and 4.70 (g/l) were tolerated within 14 days. Salinity less than 0.70 g/l did not affect survival and hatching success of the embryos. After a 3-week experiment, size of larvae exposed to salinities over 0.70 g/l was lower compared to larvae reared at lower salinity levels. Meanwhile increases in salinity more than 3.70 g/l caused extension in the hatching period. Larvae reared at salinity of 3.70 to 4.70 g/l had morphological abnormalities, such as distortion of tail.展开更多
基金the Razi University for the support of this study as an MSc research project
文摘This study examined the effects of increased salinity on growth, development and survival of the Green toad, Bufotes variabilis during embryonic, hatching and early larval periods. Eggs from a single cohort of B. variabilis were subjected to acute and chronic toxicity tests for water salinity ranging from 0.20 to 10 g of salt per liter. Results obtained from this study showed that salinity over 3.70 g/l increased embryonic mortality and reduced percentage of hatching and survival rate of larvae. As larvae tolerated salinity 0.20 to 3.70 g/l with highest survival, but salinity of 10 g/l caused mortality of all individuals within 12 h, 7.70-8.70 (g/l) within 4.5 days, 5.70-6.70 g/l within 10 days and 4.70 (g/l) were tolerated within 14 days. Salinity less than 0.70 g/l did not affect survival and hatching success of the embryos. After a 3-week experiment, size of larvae exposed to salinities over 0.70 g/l was lower compared to larvae reared at lower salinity levels. Meanwhile increases in salinity more than 3.70 g/l caused extension in the hatching period. Larvae reared at salinity of 3.70 to 4.70 g/l had morphological abnormalities, such as distortion of tail.