ISSN:
1573-3017
Keywords:
adaptation
;
acclimation
;
resistance
;
metal
;
mosquitofish
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Abstract This study investigated the occurrence of adaptation to lead and zinc in the western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis inhabiting contaminated Bayou Trepagnier (Louisiana, USA). This bayou has a long history of industrial contamination. Present levels of lead and zinc in water and sediment were considerably higher in Bayou Trepagnier than in a nearby control stream. Tissue metal levels of mosquito fish were highly elevated for lead and (to a lesser extent) for zinc. Fish collected from Bayou Trepagnier and then exposed to zinc in a 96 h laboratory bioassay did not differ in their sensitivity to zinc from conspecifics collected from a control site. In contrast, Bayou Trepagnier fish did exhibit an increased resistance to lead. This difference in resistance to lead between Bayou Trepagnier fish and control fish was no longer evident when both groups of fish were kept for 34 days in the laboratory under identical conditions (in clean water). While a genetic basis of the difference in resistance between the two populations cannot be fully excluded, it does appear that the elevated lead resistance in Bayou Trepagnier mosquitofish is due to acclimation (physiological, individually-based) rather than adaptation at the population level
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008851516544
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