Proceedings. Biological sciencesJul 28, 2018

Artificial Light at Night Shortens Transformation Time and Slows Young Growth in a Common Amphibian

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Updated Mar 29, 2026

Abstract

American toads exposed to artificial light at night (ALAN) experienced a 15% reduction in post-metamorphic growth.

ALAN reduced the duration of metamorphosis and the biomass of periphyton.
Direct effects on toad development were observed, with no evidence of indirect ecological interactions being altered.
Juvenile toads exposed to ALAN displayed different behavior, remaining active at night instead of retreating into leaf litter.
Carry-over effects of ALAN exposure were noted, with previously exposed juvenile toads showing increased activity levels.

Simplified

Artificial light at night (ALAN) affects over 20% of the earth's surface and is estimated to increase 6% per year. Most studies of ALAN have focused on a single mechanism or life stage. We tested for indirect and direct ALAN effects that occurred by altering American toads' () ecological interactions or by altering toad development and growth, respectively. We conducted an experiment over two life stages using outdoor mesocosms and indoor terraria. In the first phase, the presence of ALAN reduced metamorphic duration and periphyton biomass. The effects of ALAN appeared to be mediated through direct effects on toad development, and we found no evidence for indirect effects of ALAN acting through altered ecological interactions or colonization. In the second phase, post-metamorphic toad growth was reduced by 15% in the ALAN treatment. Juvenile-stage ALAN also affected toad activity: in natural light, toads retreated into leaf litter at night whereas ALAN toads did not change behaviour. Carry-over effects of ALAN were also present; juvenile toads that had been exposed to larval ALAN exhibited marginally increased activity. In this time frame and system, our experiments suggested ALAN's effects act primarily through direct effects, rather than indirect effects, and can persist across life stages. Anaxyrus americanus

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Artificial Light at Night Shortens Transformation Time and Slows Young Growth in a Common Amphibian

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