Effects of larval exposure to triphenyltin on the survival, growth, and behavior of larval and juvenile Ambystoma barbouri salamanders

We exposed 10 sibships of the streamside salamander, Anibystoma barbouri, to two concentrations of triphenyltin (TPT) (1 and 5 mug/L) and an acetone carrier control for the entirety of the larval period. We measured effects on larval feeding rates, escape behavior, growth rates, and survival to, days to, and size at metamorphosis. Postmetamorphosis, we monitored feeding rates, growth rates, and survival of juvenile A. barbouri in order to investigate carryover effects. The 5-mug/L TPT concentration resulted in 93% mortality of the larvae. Exposure to 1 mug/L TPT had no mortality effect and no effect on the escape behavior of larvae. However, larvae exposed to this TPT concentration had significantly lower feeding rates and growth rates and therefore metamorphosed later than the controls but at the same mass. We detected a direct effect of TPT on growth rates beyond the effect through depressed feeding rates. We also found significant evidence for variation among sibships in their sensitivity to TPT toxicity. Once exposure was terminated at metamorphosis, we observed no residual effects of TPT on juveniles. Survival, feeding, and growth rates of juveniles exposed to TPT as larvae were not significantly different from those exposed only to the acetone carrier.