Non-destructive Method of Frog (Rana esculenta L.) Skeleton Elemental Analysis Used During Environmental Assessment

Abstract

Amphibians, particularly frogs, are increasingly used as bioindicators of contaminant accumulation in pollution studies. Their use for field scientific purposes is limited because most frog species are endangered and protected in most countries; killing of specimens are not allowed. The aim of our study was to work out and assess a method by which the elemental contents of frog bones could be estimated effectively based on the toe bones. For this purpose, Rana esculenta L. individuals were collected from an urban pond in Debrecen city (Hungary). The following large bones were also analysed: skull, spinal, femur, tibia-fibula, tarsal bones, metatarsus, humerus and digits from front and hind limbs. In the bones, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Na, S and Zn elements were measured.

Accumulation of Metals in Juvenile Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Exposed to Sublethal Levels of Iron and Manganese: Survival, Body Weight and Tissue

“…Among vertebrates, fish, frogs and toads are excellent indicators of heavy metal pollution [8][9][10][11]. Fish, as indicator organisms, are well suited for the monitoring of polluted aquatic ecosystems, since they are able to accumulate all the harmful substances from water and sediment as well as from the food chain [12][13][14].…”

Bioaccumulation of zinc in Rana tigrina in different aquatic habitats

“…They have reported concentrations of the metals in the order: Fe>Cu and approximately Zn>Mn>Cd. Simon et al (2010) analyzed the trace element concentrations (P, Ca, Mn, S, Na, Mg, Ba and Zn) in R. esculenta bones and on phalanges. Tao et al (2012) found that Zn and Cu are the most likely to be accumulated in all aquatic organisms of different tropic levels.…”

Phalangeal bone anomalies in the European common toad Bufo bufo from polluted environments

“…Therefore, this kind of survey is not as frequent as research on tadpoles or laboratory research. Considering that over 30 % of amphibian species are threatened with extinction, the attention of researchers is being directed toward non-invasive methods (Simon et al 2009, 2012; Orton et al 2014). The road mortality of vertebrates offers great opportunities for obtaining material for further research (D’Amico et al 2015; Santos et al 2015), including studies on bioindication (Simon et al 2012).…”

“…The road mortality of vertebrates offers great opportunities for obtaining material for further research (D’Amico et al 2015; Santos et al 2015), including studies on bioindication (Simon et al 2012). For instance, road-killed toads were used in research on heavy metals absorbed by bone tissues (Simon et al 2009, 2012). …”