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Differential effects of microplastic exposure on anuran tadpoles: A still underrated threat to amphibian conservation?
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Researchers found that microplastic exposure affects amphibian tadpoles differently depending on the species, with Italian agile frog tadpoles showing reduced survival at high concentrations while green toad tadpoles were more resilient.
Microplastics (MPs) have been reported to threaten a wide variety of terrestrial, marine, and freshwater organisms. However, knowledge about the effects of MPs on anuran amphibians, one of the most threatened taxa worldwide, is still limited. To assess the effects of MPs on the growth and survival of the Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) and green toad (Bufotes balearicus), we exposed tadpoles to three different concentrations (1, 7, and 50 mg L) of an environmental relevant mixture of microplastics (HPDE, PVC, PS and PES), recording data on their activity level, weight and mortality rates. While the effects of MPs on green toad tadpoles were negligible, Italian agile frog tadpoles were severely affected both in terms of growth and activity level, with high mortality rates even at the lowest MP density (1 mg L). Our results suggest that MP contamination of freshwater habitats may contribute to the ongoing decline of anuran amphibians.
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Researchers studied how polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics affect juvenile frogs and found significantly higher mortality rates in microplastic-exposed groups. The frogs showed elevated stress hormones, signs of oxidative damage, and elongated intestines, suggesting their bodies were trying to adapt to the particles. The study highlights that microplastics pose both physical and chemical risks to amphibians, which may contribute to population declines.
Distribution of microplastics in tadpoles, adults, and habitats of three water frogs of Pelophylax spp.
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Researchers examined microplastics in water frogs and their habitats across Turkey, finding that while tadpoles showed almost no microplastic ingestion, 44% of adult frogs had microplastics in their digestive tracts — mostly fibers from synthetic textiles. The findings highlight how microplastic contamination increases with life stage and proximity to human activity, threatening amphibian populations already under environmental stress.
Variation in microplastic characteristics among amphibian larvae: a comparative study across different species and the influence of human activity
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Scientists examined microplastics inside amphibian larvae from 10 species and found plastic particles in all of them, with blue fibers being the most common type. Larger larvae tended to contain longer plastic fragments, and there was a relationship between human activity levels near habitats and the characteristics of the plastics found. This study shows that microplastic contamination has penetrated freshwater food webs, affecting animals during their most vulnerable developmental stages.
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Tadpoles of the common midwife toad were exposed to polystyrene microspheres at varying concentrations in microcosms, with microplastics reducing feeding, impairing body condition, and showing dose-dependent ingestion of particles. The study provides rare evidence that microplastics harm amphibians, a group already facing global population declines.
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Researchers found microplastics in 90% of frogs collected from nine species across the Bengal delta, with fibers being the most common type — indicating that amphibians in this major river system are heavily exposed to plastic pollution, which may contribute to their global population decline.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.