Salt is commonly used on northern streets to de-ice roads. Studies have shown that tadpole populations that have been exposed to salt have a 10% lower female population. This study suggests that more frogs turn out as males as a result of being exposed to salt. This was likely due to a sex-reversing mechanism, in which the sodium ion from a sodium chloride molecule could bind to a receptor and act in the place of testosterone. In addition to causing fewer females in the population, the resulting females are smaller than average, possibly hindering their ability to produce eggs. This shift in population toward males combined with the accompanying problematic females could put entire populations of frogs at risk. This research could have implications for other species in sex ratios as well as other traits.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Road Salt Makes Frogs Male
Salt is commonly used on northern streets to de-ice roads. Studies have shown that tadpole populations that have been exposed to salt have a 10% lower female population. This study suggests that more frogs turn out as males as a result of being exposed to salt. This was likely due to a sex-reversing mechanism, in which the sodium ion from a sodium chloride molecule could bind to a receptor and act in the place of testosterone. In addition to causing fewer females in the population, the resulting females are smaller than average, possibly hindering their ability to produce eggs. This shift in population toward males combined with the accompanying problematic females could put entire populations of frogs at risk. This research could have implications for other species in sex ratios as well as other traits.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment