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Swimming speed alteration of Artemia sp. and Brachionus plicatilis as a sub-lethal behavioural end-point for ecotoxicological surveys

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated the possibility to improve a new behavioural bioassay (Swimming Speed Alteration test—SSA test) using larvae of marine cyst-forming organisms: e.g. the brine shrimp Artemia sp. and the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. Swimming speed was investigated as a behavioural end-point for application in ecotoxicology studies. A first experiment to analyse the linear swimming speed of the two organisms was performed to verify the applicability of the video-camera tracking system, here referred to as Swimming Behavioural Recorder (SBR). A second experiment was performed, exposing organisms to different toxic compounds (zinc pyrithione, Macrotrol® MT-200, and Eserine). Swimming speed alteration was analyzed together with mortality. The results of the first experiment indicate that SBR is a suitable tool to detect linear swimming speed of the two organisms, since the values have been obtained in accordance with other studies using the same organisms (3.05 mm s−1 for Artemia sp. and 0.62 mm s−1 for B. plicatilis). Toxicity test results clearly indicate that swimming speed of Artemia sp. and B. plicatilis is a valid behavioural end-point to detect stress at sub-lethal toxic substance concentrations. Indeed, alterations in swimming speed have been detected at toxic compound concentrations as low as less then 0.1–5% of their LC50 values. In conclusion, the SSA test with B. plicatilis and Artemia sp. can be a good behavioural integrated output for application in marine ecotoxicology and environmental monitoring programs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Science, National Council of Researches (CNR), Via De Marini 6, 16149, Genoa, Italy

    Francesca Garaventa, Chiara Gambardella, Alessio Di Fino & Marco Faimali

  2. E-magine-it Srl, Solution for a Clear Vision, Via Greto di Cornigliano 6r, 16152, Genoa, Italy

    Massimiliano Pittore

Authors
  1. Francesca Garaventa
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  2. Chiara Gambardella
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  3. Alessio Di Fino
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  4. Massimiliano Pittore
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  5. Marco Faimali
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Correspondence to Francesca Garaventa.

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Garaventa, F., Gambardella, C., Di Fino, A. et al. Swimming speed alteration of Artemia sp. and Brachionus plicatilis as a sub-lethal behavioural end-point for ecotoxicological surveys. Ecotoxicology 19, 512–519 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-010-0461-8

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