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Carter G, Ward J. Independent and synergistic effects of microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the reproductive social behavior of fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas). Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10846. [PMID: 38327688 PMCID: PMC10847624 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have become an environmental concern in recent years, with most research focused on the physiological effects of exposure. Comparatively little consideration has been given to the potential behavioral impacts of exposure, which may also have fitness consequences for individuals. Moreover, MPs can serve as vectors for endocrine-disrupting chemicals and other locally co-occurring contaminants known to impair behavioral responses. This project aimed to determine whether MPs alone or in association with a common environmental EDC (17-alpha ethinyl estradiol; EE2) alter reproductive behavior and decision-making in fish. Male and female fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to MPs associated with either a low (10 ng/L; MPEE2 10) or high (50 ng/L, MPEE2 50) concentration of EE2, or MPs without EE2 (MPvirgin) for 30 days via a dietary feeding protocol. Behavioral trials were conducted on Day 31 to determine the effects of exposure on male-female social interactions. The expression of male sexually selected traits, including courtship, was unaffected by exposure. However, non-exposed females in all treatment groups trended toward discrimination against exposed males, which reached statistical significance for the MPEE2 50 group. Female fish exposed to MPs, alone or in association with EE2, were equally likely to approach and associate with non-exposed and exposed males. The results from this study suggest that MPs may alter social behavior in fishes and that the behavioral impacts of exposure may be more strongly pronounced in females than males. Such individual-level changes in fitness have the potential to impact population size, with downstream effects on the broader aquatic community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Carter
- Biology DepartmentBall State UniversityMuncieIndianaUSA
| | - Jessica Ward
- Biology DepartmentBall State UniversityMuncieIndianaUSA
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2
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Qian G, Zhang L, Chen Y, Xu C. Fish microplastic ingestion may induce tipping points of aquatic ecosystems. J Anim Ecol 2024; 93:45-56. [PMID: 37970633 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics can be ingested by a wide range of aquatic animals. Extensive studies have demonstrated that microplastic ingestion-albeit often not lethal-can affect a range of species life-history traits. However, it remains unclear how the sublethal effects of microplastics on individual levels scale up to influence ecosystem-level dynamics through cascading trophic interactions. Here we employ a well-studied, empirically fed three-species trophic chain model, which was parameterized to mimic a common type of aquatic ecosystems to examine how microplastic ingestion by fish on an intermediate trophic level can produce cascading effects on the species at both upper and lower trophic levels. We show that gradually increasing microplastics in the ingested substances of planktivorous fish may cause population structure effects such as skewed size distributions (i.e. reduced average body length vs. increased maximal body size), and induce abrupt declines in fish biomass and reproduction. Our model analysis demonstrates that these abrupt changes correspond to an ecosystem-level tipping point, crossing which difficult-to-reverse ecosystem degradation can happen. Importantly, microplastic pollution may interact with other anthropogenic stressors to reduce safe operating space of aquatic ecosystems. Our work contributes to better understanding complex effects of microplastic pollution and anticipating tipping points of aquatic ecosystems in a changing world. It also calls attention to an emerging threat that novel microplastic contaminants may lead to unexpected and abrupt degradation of aquatic ecosystems, and invites systematic studies on the ecosystem-level consequences of microplastic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjing Qian
- School of Mathematical Science, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Lai Zhang
- School of Mathematical Science, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- School of Mathematical Science, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chi Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Ravele T, Fuku XG, Hlongwa NW, Nkambule TTI, Gumbi NN, Sekhosana KE. Advances in Electrochemical Systems for Detection of Anti‐Androgens in Water Bodies. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thompho Ravele
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Xolile G. Fuku
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Ntuthuko W. Hlongwa
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Thabo T. I. Nkambule
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Nozipho N. Gumbi
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Kutloano E. Sekhosana
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
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Alfonso S, Blanc M, Cousin X, Bégout ML. Exposure of zebrafish to an environmental mixture of persistent organic pollutants triggers an increase in anxiety-like syndrome but does not affect boldness in unexposed offspring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:21439-21452. [PMID: 36269479 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23689-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are present as complex mixtures in all environmental compartments, including aquatic ecosystems. However, little is known about the effects of such complex mixtures on teleost behaviour. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were chronically exposed to an environmentally relevant mixture (MIX) containing 22 PCB and 7 PBDE congeners through diet from 5 days post fertilization onwards. MIX-exposed F0 fish produced offspring (F1 and F2 generations) that were fed using plain food and grown until adulthood. In each generation, five behavioural traits (i.e. boldness, activity, sociality, exploration and anxiety) were evaluated by the mean of different experimental set-ups. Two distinct behavioural syndromes were identified: boldness, positively correlated to activity and exploration; and anxiety, associated with low sociality. F0 fish did not display any behavioural disruption resulting from POP exposure whereas F1 MIX fish were bolder than fish from other generations but did not differ significantly from F1 controls. F2 MIX fish displayed a higher anxiety syndrome than F2 controls. This is of particular importance since such behavioural changes in offspring generations may have persistent ecological consequences, may affect fitness and hence cause detrimental effects on wild fish populations exposed to POP mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Alfonso
- MARBEC, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, University Montpellier, Route de Maguelone, 34250, Palavas, France.
- COISPA Tecnologia & Ricerca, Via dei trulli 18/20, Torre a Mare, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - Mélanie Blanc
- MARBEC, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, University Montpellier, Route de Maguelone, 34250, Palavas, France
| | - Xavier Cousin
- MARBEC, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, University Montpellier, Route de Maguelone, 34250, Palavas, France
| | - Marie-Laure Bégout
- MARBEC, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, University Montpellier, Route de Maguelone, 34250, Palavas, France
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5
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Lu HL, Kang CQ, Meng QY, Hu JR, Melvin SD. Functional and hepatic metabolite changes in aquatic turtle hatchlings exposed to the anti-androgenic fungicide vinclozolin. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 231:113220. [PMID: 35066435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Many man-made chemicals that are released into water bodies in agricultural landscapes have been identified as endocrine disruptors and can cause serious impacts on the growth and survival of aquatic species living in these environments. However, very little attention has been paid to their toxicological effects in cultured non-fish species, such as aquatic turtles. We exposed hatchlings of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) to different concentrations of vinclozolin (0, 5, 50 and 500 μg/L) for 60 days to assess physiological and metabolic impacts of this fungicide. Despite no death occurrence, hatchling turtles exposed to the highest concentration of vinclozolin consumed less food, grew more slowly (resulting in smaller body size after exposure) and performed more poorly in behavioral swimming tests than controls and turtles exposed to lower concentrations. Hepatic metabolite profiles acquired via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) revealed multiple metabolic perturbations related to amino acid, lipid, and fatty acid metabolism in animals exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations. Specifically, many critical metabolites involved in energy-related metabolic pathways (such as some intermediates in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, lactate, and some amino acids) were present in livers of hatchling turtles exposed vinclozolin, though at lower concentrations, reflecting energy metabolism dysregulation induced by exposure to this fungicide. Overall, our results suggest that the changes in growth and behavioral performances caused by chronic vinclozolin exposure may be associated with internal physiological and metabolic disorders mediated at the biochemical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Liang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chun-Quan Kang
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qin-Yuan Meng
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian-Rao Hu
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Steven D Melvin
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia.
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Swank A, Wang L, Ward J, Schoenfuss H. Multigenerational effects of a complex urban contaminant mixture on the behavior of larval and adult fish in multiple fitness contexts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 791:148095. [PMID: 34139491 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural and urban storm water runoffs can introduce chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) into waterways. These chemicals can be continually released, persist, or even accumulate over time, with adverse effects on the physiology and behavior of aquatic species. Most studies aimed at evaluating the intergenerational effects of CECs have focused exclusively on single chemicals. By comparison, little is known about the effects of complex CEC mixtures on the behavior of organisms, or how these effects might manifest in subsequent generations. In this study, we exposed three generations of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to environmentally relevant concentrations of a complex CEC mixture representative of urban-impacted waterways and assessed the growth and behavior of larval and adult fish in life-stage-relevant fitness contexts (foraging, boldness, courtship). We found that (i) multigenerational exposure to a complex mixture of CECs altered the behavior of both larvae and adults in different fitness contexts; (ii) concentration-dependent patterns of behavioral impairment were consistent across fitness contexts and life stages; and (iii) the effects of exposure were magnified in the F1 and F2 generations. These results highlight the need for long-term, multigenerational assessments of CECs in affected waterways to robustly inform conservation practices aimed at managing aquatic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ally Swank
- Department of Biology, Ball State University, United States of America
| | - Lina Wang
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, St. Cloud State University, United States of America
| | - Jessica Ward
- Department of Biology, Ball State University, United States of America.
| | - Heiko Schoenfuss
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, St. Cloud State University, United States of America
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Jacquin L, Petitjean Q, Côte J, Laffaille P, Jean S. Effects of Pollution on Fish Behavior, Personality, and Cognition: Some Research Perspectives. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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Portrais KB, Stevens MA, Trask CN, Mundy SN, Szetela JM, Bleakley BH, Dzieweczynski TL. Exposure to the ultraviolet filter benzophenone-3 (BP3) interferes with social behaviour in male Siamese fighting fish. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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9
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Ligocki IY, Munson A, Farrar V, Viernes R, Sih A, Connon RE, Calisi RM. Environmentally relevant concentrations of bifenthrin affect the expression of estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors in brains of female western mosquitofish. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 209:121-131. [PMID: 30769158 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, pyrethroid pesticides have been deemed a safer alternative to previously used pesticides. While some evidence supports this assumption in mammals and birds, exposure to certain pyrethroids can affect concentrations of hormones vital to reproduction in fish. Thus, we hypothesized that pyrethroid exposure impacts fish reproductive behavior and the expression of genes associated with reproduction. We tested our hypothesis by examining effects of the widely used pyrethroid pesticide, bifenthrin, on the reproductive behaviors of the broadly distributed livebearing western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. We exposed sexually mature female fish to one of five environmentally relevant concentrations of bifenthrin and conducted behavioral assays to assess reproductive, social, and space use behaviors before and after exposure. We did not detect changes in behaviors measured in response to bifenthrin. However, exposure was associated with increased expression of an estrogen receptor gene (ER-α) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in brain tissue at bifenthrin concentrations at concentrations of 5.90 and 24.82 ng/L, and 5.90 and 12.21 ng/L, respectively. Our study supports the perspective that the use of multiple endpoints through integrative approaches is essential for understanding the cumulative impact of pollutants. Integrating physiological, morphological, and behavioral investigations of nonlethal concentrations of pollutants like bifenthrin may heighten our potential to predict their impact on individuals, populations, and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Y Ligocki
- Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Org. Biology, The Ohio State University, 43210, United States; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, United States.
| | - Amelia Munson
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Victoria Farrar
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Rechelle Viernes
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Andrew Sih
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Richard E Connon
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Rebecca M Calisi
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, United States
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Bautista NM, Pothini T, Meng K, Burggren WW. Behavioral consequences of dietary exposure to crude oil extracts in the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 207:34-42. [PMID: 30513419 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Uptake by fishes of crude oil and its polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) components occurs via gills, dietary intake, or diffusion through the skin. Dietary exposure to crude oil and its components is environmentally relevant, and induces physiological and morphological disruptions in fish. However, the impacts of crude oil on fish social and reproductive behaviors and thus the possible influences on reproductive success are poorly understood. As a part of their intraspecific interactions, male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) exhibit highly stereotypic behavioral and territorial displays. This makes this species a tractable model for testing crude oil effects on behavior. After 2 weeks of acclimation at 29 °C, male adult betta fish were divided into three groups and fed for 4 weeks with food spiked with water (control), low oil concentrations or high oil concentrations (∑Total PAH concentrations 340, 3960 or 8820 ng/g dw, respectively) to determine subsequent alterations in behavioral displays. Compared with control fish, the aggressive display of "opercular flaring" was significantly increased (P < 0.03, n = 14-16) in oil-exposed fish. Bubble nest building, as well as testis and brain mass, were significantly reduced in treated fish (P < 0.05). Hematocrit of treated groups was increased significantly (P < 0.02) from 21% in control fish to ∼27% in both oil exposure groups. Dietary exposure over a 4-week period to low, relevant levels of crude oil thus leads to an increase in aggressive behavioral displays, a decrease in reproductive activity and additional morphological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naim M Bautista
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas,1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA.
| | - Tanushri Pothini
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas,1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA
| | - Kelly Meng
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas,1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA
| | - Warren W Burggren
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas,1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA
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