Chemical composition of invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) impacts developmental stages of Bufotes sitibundus: threat of an invasive plant to the amphibian species.

Invasive species threaten biodiversity by disrupting biological interactions. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is recognized as one of the world's top 100 weed species and among the ten worst aquatic weeds. This study examines the impact of extracts from this non-native invasive plant on the survival, growth, and metamorphosis of Bufotes sitibundus larvae, a species of anuran amphibian. Due to the presence of phenolic compounds and heavy metals, invasive plants can significantly affect anuran development, yet these threats remain largely unstudied in amphibians. We observed increased mortality in larvae exposed to water hyacinth extracts, which we attribute to reduced oxygen availability linked to high concentrations of phenolic compounds, such as (E)-23-ethylcholesta-5,22-dien-3.beta.-ol and 3-Hydroxyspirost-8-en-11-one, as well as the terpenoid gibberellin A3. These phenolic compounds may impair gill function, contributing to decreased survival rates. Additionally, the presence of heavy metals in the extracts adversely impacts survival, growth, body length, and metamorphosis. The invasive water hyacinth can lead to significant alterations in pond ecosystems, producing both direct and indirect effects on amphibian survival. Our findings offer crucial insights into the effects of water hyacinth extracts on amphibians, encompassing egg development, growth, mortality, and metamorphosis, potentially impacting the biology and ecology of Bufotes sitibundus during the critical developmental stages.