Postexposure feeding depression: A new toxicity endpoint for use in laboratory studies with Daphnia magna

In situ bioassays with daphnids currently employ lethality as an endpoint, and although sublethal responses (reproduction and feeding rate) can be measured in the field, such endpoints pose major practical challenges. Previous studies have indicated that Daphnia magna exposed to toxic substances can...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental toxicology and chemistry 2002-06, Vol.21 (6), p.1198-1205
Main Authors: McWilliam, Ruth A., Baird, Donald J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agnatha. Pisces
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Daphnia
Daphnia magna
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates
Endpoint Determination
Feeding Behavior - drug effects
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Lethal Dose 50
Lethality
Postexposure feeding depression
Sensitivity and Specificity
Techniques
Water Pollutants - toxicity
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In situ bioassays with daphnids currently employ lethality as an endpoint, and although sublethal responses (reproduction and feeding rate) can be measured in the field, such endpoints pose major practical challenges. Previous studies have indicated that Daphnia magna exposed to toxic substances can exhibit delayed recovery in feeding behavior (postexposure feeding depression). This simple, robust response has the potential to be an ecologically relevant and potentially diagnostic endpoint. This study developed and tested the use of postexposure feeding depression as a toxicity endpoint in the laboratory environment. First, replicate numbers were manipulated to produce statistically reliable results. Second, postexposure feeding depression in D. magna was studied under laboratory conditions, by employing toxic substances with differing modes of action. Although most substances caused feeding inhibition during direct exposure, not all substances produced postexposure feeding depression. However, the use of lethality as a supplementary endpoint provided an alternative measure when no feeding depression was apparent after exposure. In combination, these endpoints offer a potentially more sensitive, ecologically relevant alternative to the use of lethality alone for in situ bioassay studies.
ISSN:0730-7268
1552-8618
DOI:10.1002/etc.5620210612