Sublethal pesticide exposure influences behaviour, but not condition in a widespread Australian lizard.

ABSTRACT: Assessment of non-target impacts of pesticides used widely in agriculture and pest management rarely considers reptiles. Despite their integral role in all ecosystems, particularly arid ecosystems, reptiles are not included in risk assessments. Two pesticides used in agricultural pest management are fipronil and fenitrothion. Here, we used a field-based BACI design experiment in semi-arid Australia to investigate the impact of these pesticides on basic physiological and behavioural parameters of a common arid-zone lizard species, Pogona vitticeps. Fipronil and fenitrothion were applied at ecologically relevant doses via oral gavage. Before and after dosing, blood, physical activity and body condition parameters were assessed. We found that temperature significantly influenced lizard

SUBMITTER: Contador-Kelsall I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9040277 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature