Researchers discovered that tadpoles of three frog and toad species (wood frogs, leopard frogs and American toads) developed the same tail shape that they do when exposed to predators such as dragonfly larvae or newts. The different tail shape helps them to escape predators. The study also showed that although tadpoles had the same mortality risk when exposed to Roundup as has been found in other studies, that the risk of mortality decreased if the tadpoles were also exposed to predator cues. The investigators hypothesize that the herbicide stratifies in the water and that tadpoles dive to the bottom where the herbicide is less concentrated when they think predators are around.
Relyea, Rick A.
