Study

Toxicity of glyphosate as glypro and LI700 to red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) embryos and early hatchlings

  • Published source details Sparling D., Matson C., Bickham J. & Doelling-Brown P. (2006) Toxicity of glyphosate as glypro and LI700 to red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) embryos and early hatchlings. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 25, 2768-2774.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Manage vegetation using herbicides

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Red-eared terrapin: Application of a biocide

Action Link
Control of Freshwater Invasive Species
  1. Manage vegetation using herbicides

    A replicated, controlled study in 2005 in a laboratory in Louisiana, USA (Sparling et al. 2006) found that the herbicide (glyphosate), which may be used to manage vegetation, when applied to eggs of red-eared sliders Trachemys scripta elegans, reduced hatching success and the health of hatchlings, but only at the highest glyphosate concentration. Hatching success at the highest concentration of glyphosate and the surface-active agent was 73%, compared to hatching success of 80–100% with lower concentrations or no glyphosate. Hatchlings from eggs that had been exposed to the highest concentration of glyphosate and surface-active agent also weighed less both at hatching and after 14 days, compared to those from eggs that had been exposed to lower concentrations. Eggs of red-eared terrapins were exposed to either a single application of glyphosate (68–11,206 ppm wet weight of glyphosate in Glypro, 15 eggs/concentration) with a surface-active agent (LI700) or to no glyphosate (16 eggs). After exposure, eggs were incubated in vermiculite and the number to hatch successfully was recorded. Fourteen days after hatching, size and weight of hatchlings was recorded.

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

  2. Red-eared terrapin: Application of a biocide

    A replicated, controlled laboratory study in 2005 in the USA (Sparling et al. 2006)found that application of glyphosate to the eggs of red-eared terrapins Trachemys scripta elegans reduced hatching success and the health of hatchlings, but only at the highest glyphosate concentration.  Hatching success at the highest concentration of 11,206 ppm wet weight of glyphosate in Glypro and 678 ppm of the surface active agent LI700 was 73%, compared to hatching success of 80-100% in the lower concentrations and the control. Hatchlings from eggs that had been exposed to the highest concentration of glyphosate and surface active agent also weighed less both at hatching and at the end of the holding period, compared to those from eggs that had been exposed to lower concentrations. Eggs of red-eared terrapins were exposed to single applications of glyphosate and surface active agent, ranging from 0 to 11,206 ppm wet weight of glyphosate in Glypro and 0 to 678 ppm of the surface active agent LI700.

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