Effects of Pesticides on Different Stages of Amphibian Development

Abstract

Due to their ecological sensitivity, aquatic-terrestrial life cycles, and porous skin, amphibians are more likely than other vertebrates to be polluted by chemicals from farming. the effects that pesticides used in farming have on the life cycle of amphibians, especially during the metamorphic, embryonic, and larval stages, which are all very important for the species' survival. Field observations and controlled laboratory studies show that even small amounts of pesticides can stop normal development and growth. They can also delay hatching, lower survival rates, change the shape of animals, and stop metamorphosis. Herbicides like atrazine mess up the way hormones work, which can cause problems with gonadal development and the ratios of males to females. Organophosphates, carbamates, and neonicotinoids also mess up the way brain and hormones work. Pesticides raise the risk of death in larval stages by making it harder for them to feed, fight off infections, and avoid being eaten. Changes in temperature, habitat loss, and the spread of disease are some of the environmental factors that make developmental problems worse. The synergistic effects of pesticide combinations are another factor.