Amphibian Mutation; What Is the Cause?

Due to the fact that the cells in our body are composed of DNA, there are multiple places for
mutations to occur. Mutations that occur in the DNA are called Somatic mutations which affect the
non-reproductive cells. In other words, the mutation won't pass to the holder's offspring. The mutation
that affects large-scale evolution is called Germ Line mutation, which affects the reproductive cells.
The main gene mutation that we see is called a Hox gene mutation. The Hox gene designates where
the head grows on the body and which places of the body grow appendages (McCreedy).

There have been many cases of amphibian decline or extinction. Several factors are believed to
be involved, including pesticide use, introduced species (something that can eat them, or something
poisonous they can eat), and ultraviolet (UVB) radiation. Pollutants have several different effects on
amphibians; Some alter the central nervous system, and others disrupt the reproductive system and the
flow of hormones. Pesticides and insecticides increase the mortality of tadpoles and causes severe
mutations (McCreedy). Most pesticide effects are are likely to be local and restricted to areas near
agriculture, however there is evidence from the Sierra Nevada mountains that pesticides are traveling
long distances via, ...any mobile animal such as birds and any mobile machine such as vehicles
(McCreedy) into controlled areas such as the Yosemite National Park in California.
Similar to other organisms, the increase of UVB radiation, presumably due to the ozone
depletion (McCreedy) harms the eggs of amphibians. Amphibians that produce less photolyase, an

enzyme that counteracts the damage inflicted by ultraviolet radiation (McCreedy) are more affected
by the depletion of the ozone layer. Another factor, an increase in cloud cover, which has produced
warm nights and cool daytime, has been blamed for the growth of the fungus Batrachochytrium
dendrobatidis or, the amphibian chytrid fungus, which is a fungal infection (McCreedy).

Researches
concluded that climate change is a key factor in amphibian extinction (studies concluded in Costa
Rica, however their research pushes scientists to believe that it is also a major cause in multiple
amphibian habitats).

Introduced species that do not normally coexist with amphibians, such as planorbid (rams horn)
snails have a huge impact on the beginning processes of mutations due to one gruesome detail; they
are hosts for digenetic trematodes, or parasitic flatworms. While feeding on the snail, the trematodes
undergo asexual reproduction to produce free-swimming cercariae which, ...latch on to the limbs of
larval amphibians that can interfere with proper limb development (McCreedy). While extra limbs
were the most common malformation observed on Pacific treefrogs, skin webbings were the most
prevalent malformation in western toads and American toads (McCreedy). When trout (who prefer to
prey on frogs) were introduced to the same environment, the trematodes would reproduce sexually,
laying their eggs in the trout's waste. When the eggs hatched, they would swim to the planorbid snails
and restart the process all over again.

Amphibians are natural indicators of our planet's well-being; They alert us of its
condition. Due to frogs being both aquatic and terrestrial, they are twice as likely as other amphibians
to be affected by their environment. Frogs are important indicators because they have permeable skin,
meaning they are highly vulnerable to toxins present in the atmosphere, the land, and the water.
Amphibians are among the first species to be affected by global pollution and climate change. They
were essentially providing a sort of warning alarm of environmental degradation (McCreedy).

About Peter McCreedy

Peter McCreedy is the president of LLC (Lapeer Land Conservacy) and the Ecology Director at
Chatflied School. He loves working with students of all ages in the Willows and the many surrounding
outdoor classrooms. In his free time Peter likes to go camping, play hockey, and ride his bicycle. Peter
and his wife Beth have two daughters, Lily an Evelyn, and live on a small farm where they like to
swim in the pond, build forts, and grow food. Peter is also the Chair of the Lapeer Charter of the Flint
River Coalition and enjoys partnering with numerous other local service organizations to help our
community thrive.