A ZOOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS ON THE BEHAVIOR AND SURVIVAL OF NATIVE AMPHIBIAN SPECIES

Abstract

Background Amphibians face a growing number of environmental challenges, such as pollution, habitat fragmentation, temperature change, and invasive species, which have a marked impact on their behavior, survival and ecosystem dynamics. Such stressors have been associated with declines in populations around the world and urgent conservation concerns. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how seasonal variation affects the behavior patterns, survival rates, and physiological responses of multiple amphibian species to specific environmental stressors in their natural environments. Methodology: Mixed-methods to conduct small (activity levels, mating calls, foraging behavior, survival rates, and environmental data), and qualitative field observations. Results Four species were studied under different types of stress, and their data were analyzed statistically through ANOVA and survival analysis to understand significance. Outcomes: Temperature stress resulted in a significant decrease in activity (35 movements/day) and mating calls (8 calls/hour) in frog species A (p = 0.03). Mud pollution lowered the calls of Toad Species B intensely (5 calls/hour; p = 0.01). High mortality model (Group C) Salamander C was more active (40 vs 24.7 movements/day; 10% mortality, p = 0.02) than Salamander N in fragmented habitats. Even though mating calls and activity were high in the invasive species treatment, the foraging rate of Frog Species D decreased. Environmental assessments showed significant associations between markers of pollution and decreased physiological function. Conclusion: Environmental stressors play a profound role in amphibian health and behavior, and underscore the immediate need for habitat preservation and stressor-specific remedial strategies.