Journal of Environmental Biology

Influence of ambient ultraviolet radiation on Bufo calamita egg development in a semiarid zone (Catalonia, Spain)

Neus Oromi*¹, Olivier Marquis², Claude Miaud*² and Delfi Sanuy¹

¹Departament de produccio animal (Fauna Silvestre), University of Lleida. Av. Rovira Roure 177. 25188, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain

²Universit? de Savoie UMR CNRS 5553, Laboratory Alpine Ecology, 73 376 Le Bourget du Lac, France

(Received: January 15, 2007 ; Revised received: May 26, 2007 ; Accepted: July 01, 2007)

Abstract: Several experiments have shown that ambient ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) has negative effects on the development of amphibians? embryos. We studied the effects of UV-B radiation on development, survival and frequency of deformity during egg development in the Natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) from a semiarid region of Lleida (Catalonia, Spain). Eggs exposed to ambient levels of UV-B and those protected from UV-B with a filter exhibited similar developmental rate, mortality rate and frequency of developmental anomalies. These experiments show that eggs of Bufo calamita of the studied population are able to develop normally during embryonic period when exposed to current high levels of UV-B observed in Catalonia. These results will be used as reference for future studies on geographic variation in UV-B tolerance in this species.

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