Responses of green frog (Rana Clamitans) tadpoles to lead‐polluted water

摘要

AbstractGreen frog (Rana clamitans) tadpoles were exposed to 0, 500, 750 and 1,000 μg Pb/L (as lead nitrate) for 6 d (144 h). Previous studies have shown that similar exposure to 750 or 1,000 μg Pb/L produces deficiencies in both acquisition and retention of learned responses in green frog tadpoles. We examined preference/avoidance responses and spontaneous locomotor activity of Pb‐exposed and control tadpoles to plumes of Pb‐polluted water at each concentration in an octagonal fluviarium. Results indicated no significant preference or avoidance of Pb by either control or Pb‐exposed animals, and no significant effects on the amount of locomotor activity. However, there was significantly greater (p<0.05; foldedFtest) variability in locomotor activity for tadpoles exposed to 750 and 1,000 μg Pb/L compared to control animals and to those exposed to 500