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Can short exposure to polyethylene microplastics change tadpoles’ behavior? A study conducted with neotropical tadpole species belonging to order anura (Physalaemus cuvieri)
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Researchers exposed Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles to polyethylene microplastics for 7 days and found altered locomotion behavior — reduced activity and increased erratic swimming — suggesting that short-term microplastic exposure can impair motor behavior in amphibians.
The scientific knowledge about toxicological impacts of polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs) on different organisms has significantly improved in recent years. However, the effects of these pollutants on animal species such as amphibians remain poorly known. Thus, the aim of the current study is to investigate whether the short exposure (7 days) of Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles to PE MPs (60 mg/L) can change their behavior. Collected data have shown that PE MP accumulation in tadpoles was associated with different behavioral changes observed in them; this outcome has confirmed the behavioral toxicity of these micropollutants in the investigated species. Tadpoles subjected to PE MPs presented locomotion issues, anxiogenic effect symptoms, as well as anti-predatory defensive response deficit when they were exposed to predators (Cyprinus carpio). Data analysis enabled inferring to what extent these pollutants can affect individuals, and their natural predators living in contaminated areas. Based on the biological viewpoint, these changes can affect their defensive response to predators, as well as their social behavior. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was pioneer in reporting PE MPs-induced behavioral toxicity in representatives of amphibian groups.
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Hepatotoxicity of pristine polyethylene microplastics in neotropical physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles (Fitzinger, 1826)
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Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles exposed to pristine polyethylene microplastics showed hepatotoxicity, including liver cell vacuolation and oxidative stress, demonstrating that microplastic ingestion causes measurable liver damage in amphibian larvae even without chemical additives.
How much are microplastics harmful to the health of amphibians? A study with pristine polyethylene microplastics and Physalaemus cuvieri
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Researchers exposed frog tadpoles (Physalaemus cuvieri) to polyethylene microplastics and found significant harmful effects including DNA damage, cell toxicity, and abnormal physical development. The microplastics accumulated in multiple tissues including the gills, gut, liver, muscle, and blood. The study provides some of the first evidence that microplastics can affect amphibian health, adding to concerns about their impact on freshwater wildlife.
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Researchers exposed tadpoles to polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, a type of biodegradable plastic, to assess behavioral and developmental effects. They found that PLA microplastics reduced survival, slowed growth, and altered swimming behavior, with tadpoles showing less movement and more repetitive patterns, especially at higher concentrations and when combined with cadmium. The study suggests that even biodegradable plastics can negatively affect amphibian development and behavior.
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Scientists exposed baby wood frogs (tadpoles) to microplastic particles in water at levels similar to what's found in some natural ponds, and found the tadpoles became noticeably less active swimmers as they developed. While this study looked at frogs, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that microplastics—now found throughout our environment and even in human blood—can subtly affect living creatures' behavior and development, which is worth understanding as we assess risks from our own exposure.
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Researchers exposed Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles to naturally aged PET microplastics and found that toxic effects — including elevated oxidative stress, disrupted dopamine levels, and altered enzyme activity — persisted after exposure ended, demonstrating a cumulative legacy effect where damage from microplastic ingestion continues even after the pollutant is removed.
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