Differential swimming performance of two natricine snakes exposed to a cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticide
W.A. Hopkins*, C.T. Winne, S.E. DuRant
University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Wildlife
Ecotoxicology and Physiological Ecology Program, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC
29802, USA
Received 5 March 2004; accepted 25 June 2004
Exposure to a cholinesterase inhibitor reduces swimming velocity in
snakes.
Abstract
Environmental contaminants have direct effects on organisms at the molecular,
cellular, and tissue levels, but the net results of these sub-organismal
effects are only consequential to exposed populations if they alter organism-level
traits that ultimately influence fitness (e.g., growth, locomotor performance,
reproduction, and survival). Here, we explore the possibility that the
swimming performance of neonate black swamp snakes (Seminatrix pygaea)
and diamondback water snakes (Nerodia rhombifer) may be affected
by exposure to carbaryl (2.5 and 5.0 mg/L). The highest concentration
of carbaryl caused greater reductions in swim velocity in S. pygaea
than in N. rhombifer. Most individuals recovered from the effects
of carbaryl on swimming performance within 96 h, but recovery was significantly
slower in S. pygaea than in N. rhombifer. We hypothesize
that the sensitivity of S. pygaea may arise from its highly permeable
integument compared to other natricines. Our findings suggest that performance
can serve as an ecologically relevant response to contaminant exposure
in reptiles and warrants further study.
Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords: Carbaryl; Cholinesterase; Reptiles; Snakes; Swimming
performance
SREL Reprint #2801
Hopkins, W. A., C. T. Winne and S. E. DuRant. 2004. Differential swimming performance of two natricine snakes exposed to a cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticide. Environmental Pollution 133:531-540.
