Dietary exposure and accumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances alters growth and reduces body condition of post-metamorphic salamanders

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are contaminants of concern due to their persistence, potential bioaccumulate, toxicity. While dietary exposure is the primary route for terrestrial species, data on PFAS uptake adverse effects largely restricted mammals. As such, substantial gaps exist that hinder ecological risk assessment, including environmentally relevant levels taxa. Using a 30-d laboratory experiment, we examined PFAS-exposure post-metamorphic tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum). We fed crickets exposed perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane (PFHxS), or 6:2 fluorotelomer (6:2 FTS) at low (<1.0), medium (2–5), high (16–62) ng PFAS/g/d (wet weight) dose rates. found only PFOS resulted in biomagnification. Despite limited evidence biomagnification, altered growth generally reduced body condition. Salamanders with highest burdens grew less had lower conditions, while PFHxS PFOA were associated growth. There was no doses increase liver size salamanders. Our results demonstrate accumulation can impact fitness-related traits amphibians contribute trophic transfer food webs.