Mass mortality of great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) on ground treated with road salt

Abstract

Letters temperatures, which stimulate amphibians to emerge from winter hibernation sites (John Baker, personal communication). Laboratory studies show that amphibian eggs and larvae may be killed rapidly by salt water exposure, including species that sometimes occur in coastal habitats (natterjack toad [Epidalea calamita] [Beebee 1985]). At the landscape level, north American studies have indicated that salt in road runoff negatively affects local populations of some amphibian species in breeding ponds, with differences between species in salt susceptibility (Karraker and others 2008, Collins and russell 2009). Amphibian skin is highly permeable, and environmental pollutants are a potential threat to amphibian populations worldwide (Mann and others 2009). We wish to highlight the apparent potential for road salt to cause morbidity and mortality in amphibians, and we will be working with wildlife conservation groups to raise awareness of this issue.

Potential for local adaptation in response to an anthropogenic agent of selection: effects of road deicing salts on amphibian embryonic survival and development

“…All life stages of amphibians have been shown to be severely affected by road deicing salts, with increased concentrations of NaCl causing egg, larval and adult mortality and impaired growth and development (Viertel 1999;Turtle 2000;Dougherty and Smith 2006;Karraker 2007;Collins and Russell 2009;Karraker and Ruthig 2009;Langhans et al 2009;Petranka and Doyle 2010;Duff et al 2011;Harless et al 2011;Alexander et al 2012), similar to results found for T. granulosa eggs in this study. The effect of MgCl 2 on amphibians is less well understood, despite its now prevalent use (National Transportation Research Board 2007;Cunningham et al 2008).…”

Effects of Road Mortality and Mitigation Measures on Amphibian Populations

“…Thirty‐four peer‐reviewed papers published since 1973 provided data on numbers of amphibians killed on roads on 5 continents (Europe, n = 16 [Van Gelder ; Holisova & Obrtel ; Fuellhaas et al ; Herden et al ; Lodé ; Hels & Buchwald ; Salio et al ; Orlowski ; Gryz & Krauze ; Orlowski et al ; Reshetylo & Mykitchak ; Sillero ; Hartel et al ; Carvalho & Mira ; Duff et al ; Santos et al ]; North America, n = 10 [Fahrig et al ; Ashley & Robinson ; Clevenger et al ; Dodd et al ; Gibbs & Shriver ; Coleman et al ; Glista et al ; Langen et al ; Gerow et al. 2010; Sutherland et al ]; South America, n = 4 [Cairo & Zalba ; Da Silva et al ; Attademo et al.…”

“…Although the most obvious consequence of roads on amphibians is crushing by vehicles, this is not the only cause of death. In Britain, 75 great crested newts ( Triturus cristatus ) were killed during spring migration by salt applied to roads to remove ice (Duff et al ). In the Adirondack Mountains of the United States salt reduced embryonic and larval survival of spotted salamanders ( Ambystoma maculatum ) in ponds close to treated roads, predisposing severe (20–40%) declines of populations within 50–100 m when applications were sustained (Karraker et al ).…”

Occurrence of Amphibians in Saline Habitats: A Review and Evolutionary Perspective

“…Gadow (1901) stated that ''Common salt is poison to the Amphibia,'' and there is no doubt that amphibians are indeed osmotically challenged organisms due to their permeable skin and eggs (Shoemaker and Nagy 1977). A plethora of studies have found that salt can lead to increased mortality, developmental deformities, physiological stress, and the alteration of growth and development at (e.g., Ely 1944;Ruibal 1959;Beebee 1985;Padhye and Ghate 1992;Viertel 1999;Turtle 2000;Chinathamby et al 2006;Dougherty and Smith 2006;Collins and Russell 2009;Karraker and Ruthig 2009;Langhans et al 2009;Chambers 2011;Duff et al 2011;Harless et al 2011;Alexander et al 2012;Hopkins et al 2013a,b;Hua and Pierce 2013) and across different life-history stages (i.e., carry-over effects; Petranka and Doyle 2010;Wu et al 2012;Hopkins et al 2014). This general intolerance has been demonstrated repeatedly (and as such will not be a focus of this review) and, perhaps as a result, there are no truly marine-or salinespecialist amphibian species.…”