BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation may play a role in amphibian population declines. Some of these studies also indicate that egg hatching success is unaltered in some species of anurans as a result of UVB exposure. It has been proposed that the egg mass jelly provides photoprotection to the developing embryos. METHODS: Direct spectrophotometric scans of egg jelly, scans of egg jelly methanol extracts, and experimental manipulation in a solar simulator during development were all used to assess the role of egg mass jelly as a photoprotective agent. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: For Hyla regilla, scans of egg jelly and methanolic extracts (for mycosporine-like amino acid content) both displayed no absorption in the UV range. Experimental manipulation (removal of egg mass jelly) with both Hyla regilla and Bufo canorus egg masses in a solar simulator demonstrated that egg mass jelly played no apparent role in photoprotection of either of these species. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results in this study it seems unlikely that the egg jelly coat is playing a crucial role in protecting developing embryos from the impact of UVB radiation.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation may play a role in amphibian population declines. Some of these studies also indicate that egg hatching success is unaltered in some species of anurans as a result of UVB exposure. It has been proposed that the egg mass jelly provides photoprotection to the developing embryos. METHODS: Direct spectrophotometric scans of egg jelly, scans of egg jelly methanol extracts, and experimental manipulation in a solar simulator during development were all used to assess the role of egg mass jelly as a photoprotective agent. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: For Hyla regilla, scans of egg jelly and methanolic extracts (for mycosporine-like amino acid content) both displayed no absorption in the UV range. Experimental manipulation (removal of egg mass jelly) with both Hyla regilla and Bufo canorus egg masses in a solar simulator demonstrated that egg mass jelly played no apparent role in photoprotection of either of these species. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results in this study it seems unlikely that the egg jelly coat is playing a crucial role in protecting developing embryos from the impact of UVB radiation.
Authors: J B Hays; A R Blaustein; J M Kiesecker; P D Hoffman; I Pandelova; D Coyle; T Richardson Journal: Photochem Photobiol Date: 1996-09 Impact factor: 3.421
Authors: A R Blaustein; P D Hoffman; D G Hokit; J M Kiesecker; S C Walls; J B Hays Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 1994-03-01 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Edward E Little; Robin D Calfee; David L Fabacher; Cynthia Carey; Vicki S Blazer; Elizabeth M Middleton Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2003 Impact factor: 4.223