Can short exposure to polyethylene microplastics change tadpoles' behavior? A study conducted with neotropical tadpole species belonging to order anura (Physalaemus cuvieri)

Abstract

The scientific knowledge about toxicological impacts of polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs) on different organisms has significantly improved in recent years. However, the effects of these pollutants on animal species such as amphibians remain poorly known. Thus, the aim of the current study is to investigate whether the short exposure (7 days) of Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles to PE MPs (60 mg/L) can change their behavior. Collected data have shown that PE MP accumulation in tadpoles was associated with different behavioral changes observed in them; this outcome has confirmed the behavioral toxicity of these micropollutants in the investigated species. Tadpoles subjected to PE MPs presented locomotion issues, anxiogenic effect symptoms, as well as anti-predatory defensive response deficit when they were exposed to predators (Cyprinus carpio). Data analysis enabled inferring to what extent these pollutants can affect individuals, and their natural predators living in contaminated areas. Based on the biological viewpoint, these changes can affect their defensive response to predators, as well as their social behavior. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was pioneer in reporting PE MPs-induced behavioral toxicity in representatives of amphibian groups.

Keywords: Amphibians; Aquatic pollution; Ecotoxicology; Freshwater ecosystems; Micro-pollutants; Plastics.