Artificial light at night decreases metamorphic duration and juvenile growth in a widespread amphibian

Dananay, Kacey L.; Benard, Michael F.

doi:10.1098/rspb.2018.0367

Cited by 35 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The authors concluded that these choices are likely to affect the survival of both species as salamanders must choose a substrate of lower nutritional quality while frogs become more exposed to nocturnal predators. In field experiments, nocturnal LED light (Blue/green spectrum and intensities consistent with those found under street light) reduced larvae metamorphosis duration and juvenile growth in the American toad Anaxyrus americanus (Dananay and Benard, 2018). In addition ALAN also affected periphyton biomass, as mentioned before (section "Breeding").…”

Section: Frogssupporting

confidence: 68%

Exposure to Artificial Light at Night and the Consequences for Flora, Fauna, and Ecosystems

et al. 2020

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The present review draws together wide-ranging studies performed over the last decades that catalogue the effects of artificial-light-at-night (ALAN) upon living species and their environment. We provide an overview of the tremendous variety of light-detection strategies which have evolved in living organisms - unicellular, plants and animals, covering chloroplasts (plants), and the plethora of ocular and extra-ocular organs (animals). We describe the visual pigments which permit photo-detection, paying attention to their spectral characteristics, which extend from the ultraviolet into infrared. We discuss how organisms use light information in a way crucial for their development, growth and survival: phototropism, phototaxis, photoperiodism, and synchronization of circadian clocks. These aspects are treated in depth, as their perturbation underlies much of the disruptive effects of ALAN. The review goes into detail on circadian networks in living organisms, since these fundamental features are of critical importance in regulating the interface between environment and body. Especially, hormonal synthesis and secretion are often under circadian and circannual control, hence perturbation of the clock will lead to hormonal imbalance. The review addresses how the ubiquitous introduction of light-emitting diode technology may exacerbate, or in some cases reduce, the generalized ever-increasing light pollution. Numerous examples are given of how widespread exposure to ALAN is perturbing many aspects of plant and animal behaviour and survival: foraging, orientation, migration, seasonal reproduction, colonization and more. We examine the potential problems at the level of individual species and populations and extend the debate to the consequences for ecosystems. We stress, through a few examples, the synergistic harmful effects resulting from the impacts of ALAN combined with other anthropogenic pressures, which often impact the neuroendocrine loops in vertebrates. The article concludes by debating how these anthropogenic changes could be mitigated by more reasonable use of available technology – for example by restricting illumination to more essential areas and hours, directing lighting to avoid wasteful radiation and selecting spectral emissions, to reduce impact on circadian clocks. We end by discussing how society should take into account the potentially major consequences that ALAN has on the natural world and the repercussions for ongoing human health and welfare.

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Section: Frogssupporting

confidence: 68%

Exposure to Artificial Light at Night and the Consequences for Flora, Fauna, and Ecosystems

et al. 2020

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“…In mice, dim continuous ALAN has been demonstrated to increase the rhythmic expression of core circadian genes associated with changes in feeding time and increased body mass gain (Fonken et al 2013). Similar ALAN-induced alteration in biological functions has also been revealed in invertebrates (Czaczkes et al 2018), fishes (Khan et al 2018), amphibians (Dananay & Benard 2018) and reptiles (French et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Bright artificial light at night is associated with increased body mass, poor reproductive success and compromised disease tolerance in Australian budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Malek

Haim

2019

Integrative Zoology

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Artificial light at night (ALAN) can cause circadian disruption and result in adverse behavioral and ecological effects in free‐living birds, but studies on captive pet birds as companion animals have been infrequent. We studied the effects of exposure to bright ALAN on body mass, melatonin sulfate levels, reproduction and disease severity in Australian budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) kept in captivity. During the experiment, birds were kept under outdoor temperature, humidity and natural photoperiod from September to December. A total of 48 birds were equally split into 4 groups (6 mating pairs each) and concurrently exposed to ALAN of 200 lux with different duration (0, 30, 60 and 90 min). Monthly observations were recorded for all dependent parameters. ALAN exposure increased mass gain and suppressed melatonin levels in a dose‐dependent manner, especially during December. In addition, ALAN exposure in all duration groups decreased egg production and reduced hatchability from 61% ± 14% in the ALAN‐unexposed control group to 0% in the ALAN‐exposed birds. Disease severity was also found to increase in line with the duration of ALAN exposure. In captive M. undulatus, ALAN exposure was demonstrated to affect photoperiodic regulation with subsequent excess mass gain and reproduction impairment, and increased susceptibility to infections plausibly through duration dose‐dependent suppression of melatonin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a possible association between acute bright ALAN of increasing duration and both natural development of infections as well as reproductive cessation in captive birds. Our findings could be used to improve breeding conditions of captive birds.

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“…Few reviews on ALAN effects on amphibians are available [70][71][72], and several recent studies investigated the effects of ALAN on amphibians. ALAN decreased metamorphic duration and juvenile growth in American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) [73], and reduced activity and altered energy allocation in common toads (Bufo bufo) [74]. Furthermore, a shift and shortening of the calling season of male Brazilian anurans was measured in a light-polluted wetland as compared to a similar site without light pollution [75].…”

Section: Amphibiansmentioning

confidence: 92%

Light Pollution, Circadian Photoreception, and Melatonin in Vertebrates

et al. 2019

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Artificial light at night (ALAN) is increasing exponentially worldwide, accelerated by the transition to new efficient lighting technologies. However, ALAN and resulting light pollution can cause unintended physiological consequences. In vertebrates, production of melatonin—the “hormone of darkness” and a key player in circadian regulation—can be suppressed by ALAN. In this paper, we provide an overview of research on melatonin and ALAN in vertebrates. We discuss how ALAN disrupts natural photic environments, its effect on melatonin and circadian rhythms, and different photoreceptor systems across vertebrate taxa. We then present the results of a systematic review in which we identified studies on melatonin under typical light-polluted conditions in fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including humans. Melatonin is suppressed by extremely low light intensities in many vertebrates, ranging from 0.01–0.03 lx for fishes and rodents to 6 lx for sensitive humans. Even lower, wavelength-dependent intensities are implied by some studies and require rigorous testing in ecological contexts. In many studies, melatonin suppression occurs at the minimum light levels tested, and, in better-studied groups, melatonin suppression is reported to occur at lower light levels. We identify major research gaps and conclude that, for most groups, crucial information is lacking. No studies were identified for amphibians and reptiles and long-term impacts of low-level ALAN exposure are unknown. Given the high sensitivity of vertebrate melatonin production to ALAN and the paucity of available information, it is crucial to research impacts of ALAN further in order to inform effective mitigation strategies for human health and the wellbeing and fitness of vertebrates in natural ecosystems.

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Artificial light at night decreases metamorphic duration and juvenile growth in a widespread amphibian

Cited by 35 publications

References 45 publications

Exposure to Artificial Light at Night and the Consequences for Flora, Fauna, and Ecosystems

Exposure to Artificial Light at Night and the Consequences for Flora, Fauna, and Ecosystems

Bright artificial light at night is associated with increased body mass, poor reproductive success and compromised disease tolerance in Australian budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Light Pollution, Circadian Photoreception, and Melatonin in Vertebrates

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