
Meeting Abstract
Freshwater acidification, an issue that is largely linked to industrialization and human activity, poses a threat to natural environments. Amphibians are especially threatened by this issue, due to their permeable skin and sensitivity to environmental disturbances. We exposed Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) and American bullfrog (Rana catesbeianus) tadpoles to neutral and acidified water, both with and without the common water bacteria and amphibian pathogen, Aeromonas hydrophila. We monitored development, growth and immune defense among tadpoles from different treatments. We found that neither acidity nor the presence of a pathogen, nor a combination of the two, had a significant effect on growth or immune defense, as measured by snout-to-vent length and A. hydrophila killing ability, respectively, when considering varying Gosner developmental stages in O. septentrionalis. However, A. hydrophila killing ability in R. catesbeianus was significantly lower in tadpoles exposed to one or more stressors compared to control tadpoles. Our results support the hypothesis that Cuban tree frogs, an invasive species, are resilient to freshwater acidification and pathogen exposure. American bullfrogs, a species native to North America, were negatively affected by the stressors. The results of these experiments could hold implications for the future of native species as a result of increased invasive species survival in the presence of environmental stressors.