Oral Presentation Society for Freshwater Science 2025 Annual Meeting

Synergistic effects of invasive leaf litter and road salt on amphibian community dynamics (117935)

Amanda Montgomery 1 , Thomas Anderson 1
  1. Southern Illinois-University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL, United States

Road salt intrusion and invasive honeysuckle are increasing ecological concerns in freshwater habitats. Amphibians are sensitive to these stressors due to their permeable skin. Salinization can lead to increased mortality, behavioral changes, and reduced growth. Invasive honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) has been found to cause mass mortality in amphibians. Road salt and honeysuckle are likely to overlap in habitat, such as disturbed and edge habitats, which are both utilized by amphibians. If these stressors were to synergistically interact, it could lead to a higher increase in mortality and behavioral changes. These negative impacts could ultimately lead to a shift in amphibian community dynamics. We investigated the synergistic effects of road salt and honeysuckle on the predator-prey interactions of small-mouthed salamanders (Ambystoma texanum) and gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor). Larval A. texanum (predator) and H. versicolor tadpoles (prey) were placed in cattle tanks with a control, honeysuckle, salt, or combined treatment. Half of the cattle tanks contained only A. texanum larvae and the other half contained both A. texanum larvae and H. versicolor tadpoles. Survivorship of tadpoles and A. texanum larvae were monitored along with larvae body size and mass. The results are pending, but we expect that A. texanum in individual honeysuckle and salt treatments will experience reduced predation success, increased mortality, decreased growth, and decreased mass. Additionally, we expect that A. texanum in combined treatments (honeysuckle and salt) will experience the same effects as individual treatments but to a greater extent due to synergistic effects.