Enchytraeus crypticus fitness: effect of density on a two-generation study

Organisms’ density can influence physiological processes related with fitness. In the present study we assessed the influence of organisms’ density on the life-history parameters in two consecutive generations in Enchytraeus crypticus (Oligochaeta), a standard model in soil ecotoxicology. The densit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecotoxicology (London) 2017-05, Vol.26 (4), p.570-575
Main Authors: Gonçalves, Micael F. M., Gomes, Susana I. L., Soares, Amadeu M. V. M, Scott-Fordsmand, Janeck J., Amorim, Mónica J. B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Analysis
Animals
Aquatic invertebrates
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Ecotoxicology
Enchytraeus crypticus
Environment
Environmental Management
Fitness
Generations
Juveniles
Life Cycle Stages
Life history
Offspring
Oligochaeta
Oligochaeta - physiology
Organisms
Physiological aspects
Physiological effects
Physiology
Population density
Reproduction - drug effects
Soil contamination
Soil invertebrates
Soil mechanics
Soil Pollutants
Soil structure
Stress
Survival
Technical Note
Toxicants
Toxicity Tests - methods
Toxicology
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Summary:Organisms’ density can influence physiological processes related with fitness. In the present study we assessed the influence of organisms’ density on the life-history parameters in two consecutive generations in Enchytraeus crypticus (Oligochaeta), a standard model in soil ecotoxicology. The densities tested were 1 (N1) and 20 (N20) organisms per replicate and 10 vs. 20 g of soil (for the 2nd generation test only). Results showed that reproductive output was affected by density, with organisms in N1 producing three times more juveniles per adult than when at N20. Organisms’ length was affected by both density and space, i.e., organisms were smaller when less space available. Further, the density of parental generation (F0) had no influence on the endpoints reproduction and length assessed in F1, hence there was no transference of effects. These findings have potential implications in the standard Enchytraeid Reproduction Test, i.e. early mortality of the adults during toxicant exposure can affect the number and size of the offspring and the final results will also reflect the density related changes in reproduction.
ISSN:0963-9292
1573-3017
DOI:10.1007/s10646-017-1785-4