Atrazine and estradiol effects on development of Acris blanchardi (Blanchard's cricket frog) exposed in outdoor enclosures.

Background: The herbicide atrazine has been proposed as a potential endocrine disrupting compound (EDC) for amphibians. Using atrazine concentrations below or at those typically found in surface waters (0.5, 5.

Fine-scale plasticity in nest placement can compensate for poor quality junipers as nesting trees for gray vireos.

Understanding the interactions between behavior and habitat characteristics can have important implications for species of conservation concern. Gray vireos () are one example of a species of conservation concern that is understudied in terms of nest survival probabilities and the habitat characteristics that influence them. Our objective was to determine if habitat features such as juniper density, juniper foliage density, or tree height influence nest survival probabilities, and if gray vireo nest placement can mitigate habitat risks.

Evaluating a developmental endocrine toxicity assay for Blanchard's cricket frog (Acris blanchardi) in outdoor enclosures.

A developmental toxicity testing design was evaluated for larval and post-metamorphic Blanchard's cricket frogs (Acris blanchardi) raised in outdoor enclosures. Larvae were chronically exposed to 17β-estradiol (0.0-2.

Effects of Copper on the Neuromasts of Xenopus Laevis.

Fish and aquatic amphibians possess neuromasts on the surface of their body that constitute the lateral line, a sensory system used to detect water displacement. Copper is known to inactivate the neuromast organs of this system. Copper-induced neuromast loss in African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis, was examined by exposing Nieuwkoop-Faber stage 54-55 larvae to copper concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 µg/L for 96 h, followed by an examination of neuromast counts, staining intensity, and behavioral responses.

Influence of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and playa wetlands on pollinator communities in the Southern High Plains, USA.

Numerous studies have documented that invertebrate pollinator services are critical to the world economy. Factors including habitat loss and agricultural practices, however, threaten pollinator populations. Many counties in the Southern High Plains were identified as at risk for a shortage of pollination service from wild bees.