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... physical abnormalities in amphibians (Ankley et al., 2002). Chemical contaminants are perhaps the most alarming causative factor for the increase of developmental problems (Blaustein and Johnson, 2003), and numerous laboratory studies have shown that many different contaminants can kill or cause deformations in amphibians (Sparling, Linder and Bishop, 2000; Mahapatra, Mohanty-Hejmadi and Chainy, 2001; Piha et al., 2006). In this study a pond situated in the Jbilet Mountains, near Marrakech (Morocco; Latitude: 31.907702; Longitude: -7.933901; 480 m a.s.l.; Figure 1) was examined in search of amphibians in May 2010. Two anuran species were found, both widely distributed in Morocco and co-occurring in this area (Bons and Geniez, 1996): Bufo boulengeri (Lataste, 1879) (according to Stöck et al., 2006, 2008) and Amietophrynus mauritanicus (following Van Bocxlaer et al., 2009). A total of 30 newly metamorphosed specimens of both species ( B. boulengeri , N=12; A. mauritanicus , N=18) randomly selected were analysed. Metamorph characterization was restricted to external examination of the individuals. Thus, other abnormalities could have remained undetected without the use of radiography and histopathology. Two different malformed individuals, both corresponding to B. boulengeri , were detected holding a total of four different types of malformations. The first individual (Figure 2), presented a supernumerary hind limbs deformity, and the second one (Figure ...
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... Globally, most accounts of morphological abnormalities in anurans have been reported in species of Bufonidae (e.g., García-Muñoz et al., 2010;Bionda et al., 2012;Correia et the water table and surface waters with arsenic, barium and manganese in several areas of the region, in which heavy metals from mining tailings were responsible for a biological imbalance (Casara, 2003;Muniz & Oliveira-Filho, 2006); this area is located 3.5 km from the floodplain area and 4 km from the urban area sampled in our study. Also, there are reports of environmental impacts of Serra do Navio mining in and around the Parque Natural Municipal do Cancão (protected conservation unit sampled in our study), resulting in contamination with chemical residues, including arsenic, deforestation and pollution of streams (Drummond, 2000;Queiroz et al., 2008), which might be considered exogenous factors affecting the frog populations . ...
... Malformations in anurans are not a recent development in herpetology, since the first register was in 1554 (Gesner 1554); they have been reported in all continents for more than 400 species (Henle et al. 2017). The frequency of malformations reports has increased with time, and recently come to a distinguished breakout (Garcia-Muñoz et al. 2010;Johnson et al. 2010). Malformations were detected in different anuran families, genera, as well as in inhabitants of different microhabitats (Piha et al. 2006;Medina et al. 2013). ...
Records of malformation in amphibians have significantly increased on a global scale. The main causes of malformations are linked to environmental contaminants, and records in preserved environments are uncommon. We reported malformations in three anuran species belonging to three families: Crossodactylus timbuhy (Hylodidae), Proceratophrys schirchi (Odontophrynidae) and Thoropa mil-iaris (Cycloramphidae). All records were found within the Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi, a well-preserved protected remnant of Atlantic rainforest located in the mountains of the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. The malformations detected were hemimelia (long bone shortened) with ectrodactyly (digit absent) and brachydactyly (digit shortened) in C. timbuhy, microphtalmia (small eye) in P. schirchi and ectrodactyly in T. miliaris. Further studies are recommended to enable a better understanding about the incidence and causes of malformations within preserved areas.
... Bufotes boulengeri occupies a vast area in northern Africa. It is one of the most common and widely distributed amphibians species of Morocco (García-MuÑoz et al., 2010). In the Oriental Region, it has been recorded in large numbers at several localities (Bons Geniez, 1996) across different habitats, ranging from more or less brackish coastal marshes to dams and artificial ponds. ...
Monitoring amphibian populations, especially over fragile ecosystems such as arid and semiarid landscapes, helps to detect demographic trends and ecological risks. During several campaigns carried out between 2013 and 2017 across the Moulouya River Basin and the Oriental Region of Morocco, we identified nine amphibian species from the 11 previously recorded. Amphibian population threats were also detected. In this work, we focused on the amphibians of the Oriental Region of Morocco with the aims to (1) update their distribution providing new records, (2) confirm the prevalence of some vulnerable species in the region, and (3) provide an overview of the ecology and conservation status of each species at a regional level.
... Toxic exposure is another important problem in rubbish dumps, particularly for amphibians that are at high risk of suffering poisoning due to contaminants presents in these sites (García-Muñoz et al., 2010;Reeves et al., 2008). In this sense, the toxicity of the water from landfills induces mortality, malformations, decreased pathogen resistance and growth inhibition in embryos, with decreasing effects at higher distance from these sites (Bruner et al., 1998;Gibble and Baer, 2011). ...
Organic waste can be considered a food subsidy which represents an important source of energy for different species that exploit it. However, it could produce contrasting impacts, both positive and negative. We reviewed which species of terrestrial vertebrates (birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians) exploit rubbish dumps, and the impacts that waste produces on them. We analysed 159 articles including 98 species that are present in rubbish dumps. Studies come from all over the world (including Antarctica), but mainly from Europe, North America and Africa. Impacts reported on vertebrates were manly considered positive (72.6%) but around a quarter showed negative impacts. Rubbish dumps provide food resources that may improve body condition, enhance reproductive performance and abundance, improve survival rate, alter movements, and they can be an important sustenance for some endangered species. However, these places increase the risk of pathogen infections and poisoning, can be responsible for the spread of introduced-invasive species and favour conflicts between humans and animals that use them. Moreover, species that take advantage of these sites can produce negative impacts on others that do not use them. Worldwide increase in waste production makes this novel ecosystem important on shaping ecological communities. Therefore, the spatial and temporal effects of rubbish dumps on wildlife should be evaluated more deeply at a worldwide scale considering current differences in waste production from developing to developed countries.
... Factors that have been proposed as causes of incomplete or absence of limb development in amphibians include high UV-radiation exposure, deficient regeneration of injured extremities (caused by accidents or predators), pesticide abuse on agricultural crops, and, in some cases, helminthic parasite infections (e.g., Bohl 1997;Ankley et al. 1998;Alford and Richards 1999;Daszak et al. 1999;Johnson et al. 1999Johnson et al. , 2002. Some studies have documented a great variety of deformities in amphibian populations, often affecting several species from different taxonomic groups (e.g., Tyler 1990, 1994;Kiesecker et al. 2004;García-Muñoz et al. 2010). Malformations can include the emergence of additional limbs (polymelia) or the partial (ectromelia) or total (amelia) loss of them, which also can involve an increase (polydactyly) or decrease (ectrodactyly) in the number of digits (e.g., Ouellet et al. 1997, Johnson et al. 2001 Palestina Municipality, Department of Caldas, Colombia (05.0666°N, 075.6618°W; elev. ...
... Accordingly, it is possible that the high percentage of individuals with malformations found in Bailique is associated with the occurrence of freshwater contaminants. Indeed, several studies combining field and laboratory investigations have suggested that environmental contaminants in pond sediments of breeding sites (heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons) are responsible for the abnormalities observed in some anuran species [64,74], including the cane toad in Bermuda's island [60][61][62]. In this Island, approximately 30% of adults and 24% of metamorphs presented malformations, including ectromelia, ectrodactyly, missing or misplaced eyes, spinal and pelvic abnormalities, and a variety of limb malformations. ...
The Amazonian coast has several unique geological characteristics resulting from the interaction
between drainage pattern of the Amazon River and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of
the most extensive and sedimentologically dynamic regions of the world, with a large number
of continental islands mostly formed less than 10,000 years ago. The natural distribution
of the cane toad (Rhinella marina), one of the world’s most successful invasive species, in
this complex Amazonian system provides an intriguing model for the investigation of the
effects of isolation or the combined effects of isolation and habitat dynamic changes on patterns
of genetic variability and population differentiation. We used nine fast-evolving microsatellite
loci to contrast patterns of genetic variability in six coastal (three mainlands and
three islands) populations of the cane toad near the mouth of the Amazon River. Results
from Bayesian multilocus clustering approach and Discriminant Analyses of Principal Component
were congruent in showing that each island population was genetically differentiated
from the mainland populations. All FST values obtained from all pairwise comparisons were
significant, ranging from 0.048 to 0.186. Estimates of both recent and historical gene flow
were not significantly different from zero across all population pairs, except the two mainland
populations inhabiting continuous habitats. Patterns of population differentiation, with
a high level of population substructure and absence/restricted gene flow, suggested that
island populations of R. marina are likely isolated since the Holocene sea-level rise. However,
considering the similar levels of genetic variability found in both island and mainland
populations, it is reliable to assume that they were also isolated for longer periods. Given
the genetic uniqueness of each cane toad population, together with the high natural vulnerability
of the coastal regions and intense human pressures, we suggest that these populations
should be treated as discrete units for conservation management purposes.
... Accordingly, it is possible that the high percentage of individuals with malformations found in Bailique is associated with the occurrence of freshwater contaminants. Indeed, several studies combining field and laboratory investigations have suggested that environmental contaminants in pond sediments of breeding sites (heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons) are responsible for the abnormalities observed in some anuran species [64, 74], including the cane toad in Bermuda's island [60][61][62]. In this Island, approximately 30% of adults and 24% of metamorphs presented malformations, including ectromelia, ectrodactyly, missing or misplaced eyes, spinal and pelvic abnormalities, and a variety of limb malformations. ...
... Amphibians are particularly sensitive to perturbations of the surrounding ecosystem, being considered by some authors as bio-indicators of environmental health (Tejedo, 2003;García-MuÑoz et al., 2010). In fact, this group of animals currently faces global declines and range reductions worldwide (Stuart et al., 2004;Hof et al., 2011). ...
... In fact, this group of animals currently faces global declines and range reductions worldwide (Stuart et al., 2004;Hof et al., 2011). In addition, reports of populations with severe morphological abnormalities increased, reaching an unprecedented rate (García-MuÑoz et al., 2010). Literature from the last decade is focused on population level analyses and descriptions of mass occurrences of deformities (e.g. ...
In the last decades increasing records of morphological abnormalities in many amphibian populations have become subject of scientific interest. Once considered a mere curiosity, this worldwide phenomenon has been highlighted as a potential local conservation issue, for it appears to be yet another threat to amphibian diversity. Our study reports the first cases of amphibian deformities for North-Central Portugal, which are put in context with a review comprising European records since the XVIII century. Amphibian populations (Lissotriton boscai, Triturus marmoratus and Pelophylax perezi) were sampled for four sampling years at Serra da Estrela Natural Park. With approximately 1400 post-metamorphic individuals examined, we found 12 cases of deformity including anophtalmy, brachydactyly, ectrodactyly, ectomely, polydactyly and polyphalangy. Deformity prevalence varied between years and species, rarely exceeding 2%. Our results are in accordance with European trends, since the majority of the recorded cases were found in limbs of urodeles. The presence of deformities in three different species points toward environmental causes, with predation as the most parsimonious explanation. Although not alarming, we reinforce the need for continuous monitoring of amphibian communities, from an interdisciplinary perspective, since even protected and pristine areas are not immune to new emerging threats that can act in synergy.
... Reports of amphibian abnormalities have appeared in the literature since 1860 (Lannoo, 2008). The frequency of these reports increased dramatically in recent years (Ouellet, 2000;García-Muñoz et al., 2010), causing considerable concern because abnormalities could exacerbate declines in already threatened or vulnerable populations (Johnson et al., 1999(Johnson et al., , 2001Souder, 2000). Abnormality studies mainly focus on metamorphosed individuals and larvae at late stages, reporting limb malformations (Ouellet, 2000;Johnson et al., 2010). ...
... In post-metamorphic individuals, abnormalities were confined to limbs, particularly hindlimbs, which is consistent with many studies (e.g., Gardiner & Hoppe, 1999;Meteyer et al., 2000;Eaton et al., 2004;Piha et al., 2006;García-Muñoz et al., 2010;Peltzer et al., 2011). Some authors suggest that the pelvic limb buds would be more vulnerable to environmental insult during critical cell-division stages and morphogenesis than their anterior counterparts, which are protected within the gill chamber until metamorphosis occurs (Sessions & Ruth, 1990;Stopper et al., 2002). ...
We analyze patterns of abnormalities in anurans from Tucumán, Argentina, deposited in the Fundación Miguel Lillo collection. We examined 1651 specimens collected between 1940 and 2010. Overall abnormality prevalence was 4.4% for post-metamorphic individuals. The most common types of abnormalities affected the hindlimbs, and concerned reductions in the number of phalanges. Abnormality prevalence for post-metamorphic individuals did not vary by species or region, but varied temporally over the 50 year dataset. Overall abnormality prevalence was higher for tadpoles (30%), and the most common types of abnormality were extraneous projections in the marginal papillae of oral discs. In tadpoles, abnormality types varied among species, development stages and affected oral disc regions.
Solid waste management (SWM) is inextricably associated to environmental outcomes, and their succeeding economic consequences inappropriate siting of facilities can have negative impacts on public health and environment.Waste management facility is one of the Locally Unwanted Land Uses (LULU) apart from low cost housing, energy supply lines, motor ways, cemeteries, liquor shops, etc. Resistance characterized Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY)ism, a ‘not in my back yard’ attitude is quite common and natural and, hence, it is desirable to locate the waste treatment and disposal site as far as possible away from settlements. Apart from LULU and NIMBY new acronym—Not on Planet Earth (NOPE) and Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody (BANANA) “not in my terms of office” (NIMTO) and willingness and ability to pay (WATP) for improved SWM service has also appeared in literature to explain resistance of project which is opposed by public. Incorrect siting of SWM facilities would result in complaints, litigation, and public agitation. Siting of SWM finality should ensure ground/surface water protection beside protection of endangered species and public health. Availability of water and electricity; hauling distance; proximity to waste generators; existence of natural buffers; social/cultural impact of prospective sites should become part of decision making to ensure safety of public funds as well as public health.
