Evaluation of Genotoxicity and Mutagenicity in Amphibian Species that Inhabit Agroecosystem Environments

Abstract

Agrochemical residues affect the sustainability of agroecosystems and compromise the health of many amphibians and other living species, including humans. To monitor the environment, biomarkers of genotoxicity [such as the comet or single cell electrophoresis assay (CA)] and mutagenicity [such as the micronucleus (MN)] test can be efficient tools to estimate the early effects of agrochemical pollution. Thus, the present study evaluated the factors that indicate genotoxicity and mutagenicity in three Neotropical amphibian species that inhabit agroecosystems. We reviewed data from South American studies conducted on agroecosystems that used in situ approaches with Neotropical anuran species. We analyzed 256 manuscripts indexed in the Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, of which 19 papers were selected. Studies were mainly led by Argentina, Brazil and Colombia. Notably, the three most frequently studied Neotropical species were the lesser frog Dendropsophus minutes (Hylidae), the barker frog Physalaemus cuvieri (Leptodactylidae) and the South American common frog Rhinella arenarum (Bufonidae). Overall, the species found in agricultural areas showed a higher frequency of DNA damage evaluated by the CA and MN tests compared to reference areas (controls). Fifty-six formulations of agrochemicals were reported, including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers (e.g., nitrate and phosphorus). Given the sensitivity of these anurans to the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of chemical compounds, new studies should be encouraged in agroecosystem areas.