Geology topics

D. L. Fabacher

Publications and source records attributed to D. L. Fabacher.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2003

Effects of ultraviolet radiation on toad early life stages

Background Exposure to harmful levels of ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB), a component of solar radiation, has been suggested as a potential cause of amphibian declines. Methods We measured solar radiation (UVB, ultraviolet-A, and visible) wavebands in breeding ponds of Bufo boreas (boreal toad, a montane species that has undergone severe population declines) and Bufo woodhousii (Woodhouse’s toad, a plains toad that has not experienced declines) and examined tolerances of these species to simulated solar UVB exposures in the laboratory. Results We found larvae of both species to be tolerant of simulated solar UVB in excess of solar UVB levels observed in their breeding ponds. B. boreas tadpoles were more tolerant of simulated solar UVB exposure than B. woodhousii tadpoles, possibly because of greater amounts of photoprotective melanin in B. boreas skin. Conclusions UVB levels observed in B. boreas habitats do not currently appear to constitute a threat to the survival of these animals; however, long-term (>1 month) exposure to UVB levels comparable to levels associated with the water interface appears to reduce survival in B. woodhousii tadpoles. Therefore, future increases in surface and water column UVB radiation in bufonid habitats might pose significant survival risks to B. boreas or B. woodhousii populations.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research↗

USGS2002

The role of the egg jelly coat in protecting Hyla regilla and Bufo canorus embryos from Ultraviolet B radiation during development

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.

California↗

USGS2001

Resistance of a lizard (the green anole, Anolis carolinensis ; Polychridae) to ultraviolet radiation-induced immunosuppression

The green anole ( Anolis carolinensis ) is the most northerly distributed of its Neotropical genus. This lizard avoids a winter hibernation phase by the use of sun basking behaviors. Inevitably, this species is exposed to high doses of ambient solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Increases in terrestrial ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation secondary to stratospheric ozone depletion and habitat perturbation potentially place this species at risk of UVR-induced immunosuppression. Daily exposure to subinflammatory UVR (8 kJ/m 2 /day UV-B, 85 kJ/m 2 /day ultraviolet A [UV-A]), 6 days per week for 4 weeks (total cumulative doses of 192 kJ/m 2 UV-B, 2.04 × 10 3 kJ/m 2 UV-A) did not suppress the anole's acute or delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to horseshoe crab hemocyanin. In comparison with the available literature UV-B doses as low as 0.1 and 15.9 kJ/m 2 induced suppression of DTH responses in mice and humans, respectively. Exposure of anoles to UVR did not result in the inhibition of ex vivo splenocyte phagocytosis of fluorescein labeled Escherichia coli or ex vivo splenocyte nitric oxide production. Doses of UV-B ranging from 0.35 to 45 kJ/m 2 have been reported to suppress murine splenic/peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis and nitric oxide production. These preliminary studies demonstrate the resistance of green anoles to UVR-induced immunosuppression. Methanol extracts of anole skin contained two peaks in the ultraviolet wavelength range that could be indicative of photoprotective substances. However, the resistance of green anoles to UVR is probably not completely attributable to absorption by UVR photoprotective substances in the skin but more likely results from a combination of other factors including absorption by the cutis and absorption and reflectance by various components of the dermis.

Photochemistry and Photobiology↗

USGS1999

Channel catfish response to ultraviolet-B radiation

Fingerling channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus exposed to simulated ultraviolet-B radiation at an average daily dose of 2.9 J/cm 2 were quite sensitive to the radiation. After a 24-h exposure, thinning of the most dorsal epidermis frequently was accompanied by edema. Compared with epidermis of unexposed fish, mucous cells in exposed fish were less superficial and club cells were less numerous both dorsally and high on the lateral surface of the body. Sunburn cells with pyknotic nuclei were evident in the epidermis of exposed fish. Among fish exposed for 48 h, focal necrosis and sloughing of the outer epidermal layer were widespread. A methanol-extractable skin substance that is associated with resistance to sunburn in other fish species was not detected in channel catfish.

Journal of Aquatic Animal Health↗

USGS1998

Photoprotective substance occurs primarily in outer layers of fish skin

Methanol extracts of dorsal skin layers, eyes, gills, and livers from ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation-sensitive and UVB-tolerant species of freshwater fish were examined for a substance that appears to be photoprotective. Significantly larger amounts of this substance were found in extracts of outer dorsal skin layers from both UVB-sensitive and UVB-tolerant fish when compared with extracts of inner dorsal skin layers. This substance occurred in minor amounts or was not detected in eye, gill, and liver extracts. The apparent primary function of this substance in fish is to protect the cells in outer dorsal skin layers from harmful levels of UVB radiation.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research↗

USGS1997

Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on fish: Histologic comparison of a UVB-sensitive and a UVB-tolerant species

Lahontan cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki henshatvi were sensitive to simulated solar ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) and exhibited grossly visible signs of sunburn upon exposure. Razorback suckers Xyrauchen texanus , however, were tolerant to simulated solar UVB and showed no grossly visible signs of exposure. Cutthroat trout also had considerably less of an unidentified, possibly photoprotective, substance in the skin than did razorback suckers. In an attempt to characterize the cellular response to simulated solar UVB exposure in the skin of these two species, we examined sections from UVB-exposed fish by light and electron microscopy. Cutthroat trout showed grossly visible signs of sunburn by 48 h. Histologic observations included a sloughing of the mucous cells, necrosis and edema in the epidermis and dermis, and, in some cases, secondary fungal infections. Razorback suckers did not show any visible signs of sunburn during 72 h of experimental exposure. Histologic analyses revealed that cell necrosis had occurred, but the severe necrosis and sloughing noted in cutthroat trout was not observed. An increase in epidermal thickness, apparently due to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of large PAS-negative cells, occurred in the razorback suckers. These cells contained a large central region of low electron density and appeared to be club cells. In some, extensive interdigitation of the electron-lucent cytoplasm with adjacent epithelial cell margins occurred. Near the surface of the epidermis these cells were larger and the interface with epithelial cells lacked complex interdigitation. These cells may contain the substance that appears to protect razorback suckers against UV-B radiation.

Journal of Aquatic Animal Health↗