Abstract
AbstractThe effects of UV‐A and UV‐B (Cracow District, Poland, 50°04′N, 19°57′E; 220 m a.s.l.) on oxygen consumption were studied in common toad Bufo bufo (L.) tadpoles (Gosner stage 27). Ecologically relevant chronic doses of UV were simulated in the laboratory. Larvae separated for experiment were derived from UV‐exposed or not exposed embryos. After hatching, tadpoles in stages 24–27 were treated with UV‐A or UV‐B. UV‐A caused significant increases in oxygen consumption in larvae grown from untreated embryos, whereas no changes occurred in tadpoles irradiated with UV‐A during embryonic and larval development. UV‐B caused significant decreases in oxygen consumption in all exposed tadpoles. The changes were larger in larvae derived from eggs not exposed to UV‐B than in tadpoles grown from UV‐B‐treated embryos. Our results suggest that ambient levels of UV‐A and especially UV‐B may affect the metabolic rate of common toad larvae living in shallow habitats. Affected respiration may retard development as well as increase the susceptibility of tadpoles to ecologically relevant pathogens. On the other hand, it seems that UV‐irradiation induces some adaptive processes during embryonic development, which increase the resistance of the larval respiratory system to solar UV radiation.
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