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Behaviour of damselfly larvae ( Enallagma cyathigerum) (Insecta, Odonata) after long-term exposure to PFOS

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is a persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminant that has been detected in organisms worldwide. Here, we evaluate whether long-term (1 and 4 months) exposure to PFOS contamination affects the behavioural performance of freshwater larvae of the damselfly E...

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Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) 2009-04, Vol.157 (4), p.1332-1336
Main Authors: Van Gossum, Hans, Bots, Jessica, Snijkers, Tom, Meyer, Johan, Van Wassenbergh, Sam, De Coen, Wim, De Bruyn, Luc
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is a persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminant that has been detected in organisms worldwide. Here, we evaluate whether long-term (1 and 4 months) exposure to PFOS contamination affects the behavioural performance of freshwater larvae of the damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum (Insecta: Odonata). Our results show reduced behavioural performance with increasing PFOS concentration. In 1 month exposed larvae, no observed effect concentrations (NOECs) were 100 μg/L for general activity. In 4 months exposed larvae, NOECs were 10 μg/L, for each behavioural trait, except swimming acceleration of male larvae where the NOEC was 100 μg/L. When faced with PFOS concentrations above the NOEC, E. cyathigerum larvae were less active, less capable to escape a simulated predator attack and less efficient in foraging. Together, our results show that damselfly larvae suffer reduced survival-related behavioural performance. Long-term laboratory exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid decreases behavioural performance of damselfly larvae (Insecta: Odonata).
ISSN:0269-7491
1873-6424
DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2008.11.031