Jump to main content.

Research Project Search
 Enter Search Term:
   
 NCER Advanced Search

Developmental Stability in Amphibians as a Biological Indicator of Chemical Contamination and Other Environmental Stressors, Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) project of Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP): Experimental Program To Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) From the Commonwealth Of Kentucky

EPA Grant Number: R829419E03
Title: Developmental Stability in Amphibians as a Biological Indicator of Chemical Contamination and Other Environmental Stressors, Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) project of Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP): Experimental Program To Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) From the Commonwealth Of Kentucky
Investigators: Whiteman, Howard H. , Loganathan, Bommanna G.
Institution: Murray State University
EPA Project Officer: Winner, Darrell
Project Period: October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2004 (Extended to September 30, 2005)
Project Amount: $475,136
RFA: EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) (2001)
Research Category: EPSCoR (The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research)

Description:

The objective of this research project was to evaluate the potential for using developmental stability as a biological indicator of anthropogenic and natural stress in amphibians. Amphibians are ideal biological indicators because their semipermeable epidermis and complex life cycle expose them to multiple stressors in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Because of this, amphibians should be among the first vertebrates affected by anthropogenic stressors in either of these environments. Furthermore, some of the same stressors affecting amphibians are known to have negative effects on other species, including humans. Although we proposed to evaluate a wide range of possible stressors, a major focus of this project was to correlate amphibian developmental stability with contaminant levels accumulated in their tissues. We hypothesized that amphibian developmental stability would decrease with increased levels of anthropogenic (contaminants, land use practices) and natural (population size and density) stressors. Our specific goals were to: (1) correlate the effects of environmental stressors with amphibian developmental stability; (2) evaluate the effect of species, life history stage, trophic level, and habitat type on measures of developmental stability; and (3) develop methods for separating the effects of anthropogenic and natural stressors.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 10 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

bullfrogs, amphibians, environmental stressors, anthropogenic stressors, natural stressors, amphibian developmental stability, , ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Scientific Discipline, Health, Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Ecology, Biochemistry, Environmental Monitoring, epidemiology, exposure assessment, analysis of chemical exposure, bioindicator, amphibian bioindicator, chemical exposure, anthropogenic stress, animal model
Relevant Websites:

http://www.murraystate.edu/qacd/cos/hbs/epaepscor_grant.html exit EPA

Progress and Final Reports:
Final Report

Top of page

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.