Toxicity of copper-spiked sediments to Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae): a comparison of the 28-day reproductive bioassay with a 6-month cohort experiment

Identification of toxicity factors and causal analysis of toxicity in surface sediments from Liaohe river basin, Northeast China using an effect guidance strategy

Sediments play a pivotal role in maintaining the aquatic ecological status of rivers. However, the determination of the key toxicants that consider the combined effects of all sediment-related contaminants are still challenging and necessary for an appropriate sediment risk assessment. The effects of sediments on aquatic organisms have been reported in Liaohe River, but their key toxicity factors are not well known. To determine the key toxicity factors, twenty-six surface sediment samples from Liaohe River tributaries in Northeast China were collected. Acute toxicity test of midge larvae results showed that 6 of 26 tributaries had obvious toxic effects, with survival rates of 37%-57% (p < 0.05). The masking test showed that the main pollutants in the surface sediments of T7 and T16 were metals, that of T8 was an organic pollutant, those of T19 and T26 were organic pollutants and ammonia, and those of T17 were heavy metal and ammonia. Chemical analysis showed that the relatively high concentrations of ammonia were only presented in surface sediments of T17, T19, and T26, with PTU of 1.5, 1.2 and 1.1, respectively, whereas heavy metals were markedly high in surface sediments from T7 and T16, with PTU of 0.92 and 0.61, respectively. Interestingly, the observed toxicity in surface sediments agreed with the toxicity predicted by chemical analysis Moreover, the significant correlation between the survival and volume ratio of the sediment and overlying water confirmed ammonia nitrogen was key toxicity factor in T17, T19, and T26, whereas Cu was the key toxicity factor in T7 that cause the biological toxicity. In conclusion, the major toxic factors of ammonia and copper in the sediments were identified. Moreover, our study suggested that effect guidance strategy was an effective method for sediment quality assessment.

Biodynamics and adverse effects of CuO nanoparticles and CuCl2 in the oligochaete T. tubifex: Cu form influence biodynamics in water, but not sediment

The use of copper oxide (CuO) NPs results in the release of these particles into the aquatic environment. Here, the particles settle out and accumulate in the sediment. However, little is known about the biodynamics of sediment-associated NPs in benthic organisms. We compared the toxicity and biodynamics of CuO NPs (7 nm) and dissolved Cu (CuCl₂) in the sediment-dwelling oligochaete, Tubifex tubifex, to gain insights into the relative importance of metal form (CuCl₂ vs CuO NPs) and exposure route (water vs sediment). Isotopically enriched ⁶⁵Cu was used as a tracer to distinguish background from newly accumulated ⁶⁵Cu in worms. For each exposure route, we conducted three experiments: one uptake, one elimination, and one longer-term net accumulation experiment to parameterize uptake and elimination of ⁶⁵CuCl₂ and ⁶⁵CuO NPs in T. tubifex. ⁶⁵Cu accumulation was detected for both ⁶⁵CuCl₂ and ⁶⁵CuO NPs regardless of whether T. tubifex were exposed in sediment- or water-only setups. Water exposures to ⁶⁵CuCl₂ resulted in tail trauma whereas limited effects were seen for sediment exposures or exposures to ⁶⁵CuO NPs via either exposure route. Uptake rate constants and accumulation of ⁶⁵Cu in T. tubifex were higher following ⁶⁵CuCl₂ exposure than ⁶⁵CuO NPs, in water, but not in sediment. Thus, the relative importance of exposure route and Cu form for uptake dynamics is not straightforward suggesting that findings on bioaccumulation and toxicity in water exposures cannot be directly extrapolated to sediment.

Effects of sediment-associated Cu on Tubifex tubifex - Insights gained by standard ecotoxicological and novel, but simple, bioturbation endpoints

Sediments serve as both source and sink of contaminants (e.g., Cu) and biologically important materials (e.g., metals, nutrients). Bioturbation by benthic organisms is ecologically relevant as bioturbation affects the physio-chemical characteristics of sediments, thus altering nutrient and contaminant distribution and bioavailability. We examined the effects of sediment-associated Cu on T. tubifex with conventional toxicity endpoints, such as mortality and growth, and less commonly used non-destructive endpoints, such as bioturbation and feeding. An experimental approach was developed to examine the applicability of simple methods to detect effects on bioturbation and feeding. Two experiments were conducted with 7-day exposures to uncontaminated or Cu-spiked natural sediment at six Cu concentrations to examine Cu bioaccumulation and effects. Endpoints included worm mortality, feeding rate and growth (experiment A) and worm bioturbation (particle diffusion and maximum penetration depth, experiment B). A microparticle tracer was placed on the sediment surface and vertical particle transport was followed over time. Adverse effects were detected for all endpoints (bioturbation, feeding rate, growth and survival): a slight positive effect at the lowest Cu concentrations followed by adverse effects at higher concentrations indicating hormesis. These simple, non-destructive endpoints, provided valuable information and demonstrated that sediment-associated contaminants, such as Cu, can influence bioturbation activity, which in turn may affect the distribution of sediment-bound or particulate pollutants, such as the plastic microparticles studied here. Thus, we suggest to use simple endpoints, such as bioturbation and feeding rate, in ecotoxicity testing since these endpoint account for the influence of interactions between pollutants and benthos and, thus, increase ecological relevance.

Combined toxicity of imidacloprid and cadmium on histopathology and acetylcholinesterase activity in aquatic oligochaetes (Tubifex tubifex Müller, 1774)

Imidacloprid is one of the neonicotinoid insecticides that has been applied in many farmlands and was detected in many water resources worldwide. However, not only this insecticide but also cadmium was found in the agricultural wastewater in close proximity to industrial areas. This research aims to investigate the acute toxicity of imidacloprid and cadmium on the biochemical changes, pathological changes and accumulation of cadmium in Tubifex tubifex after 24- and 48-h exposure. The results show that combined toxicity of two chemicals was synergistic. In combined toxicity test, cadmium accumulation and acetylcholinesterase activity in worm tissue were significantly increased when compared with the single test. The severity of histopathology shows a dose-dependent relationship. Epidermal and gut cell degeneration, hyperplasia of epidermal and gut cells, irregular surface of the epidermis, overexpression of chloragosome and nerve degeneration were observed. Overall, this research provides useful bio-markers to assess the toxicity of imidacloprid and cadmium on the aquatic environment.

The European water-based environmental quality standard for pentachlorophenol is NOT protective of benthic organisms

Risk management of toxic substances is often based on Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) set for the water compartment, assuming they will also protect benthic organisms. In the absence of experimental data, EQS for sediments can be estimated by the equilibrium partitioning approach. The present study investigates whether this approach is protective of benthic organisms against pentachlorophenol (PCP), a legacy contaminant and EU priority substance still used in some parts of the world. Three freshwater species of invertebrates with different life cycles and feeding behaviors (the oligochaetes Lumbriculus variegatus, Tubifex tubifex and the dipteran insect Chironomus riparius) were exposed to PCP spiked sediments (2.10-46.03mgPCP/kg d.w. plus controls) in laboratory standard tests. Exposure duration was 28days for T. tubifex and L. variegatus and 10 and 28days for C. riparius; according to the corresponding OECD guidelines. For each investigated end-point, dose-response data were normalized to the mean control and fitted to a four-parameter log-logistic model for calculating the corresponding EC₅₀ and EC₁₀. The ranges for EC₅₀ and EC₁₀ estimates were 4.39 (Chironomus riparius-emergence)-27.50 (Tubifex tubifex-cocoon) and 0.30 (T. tubifex-young worms) -16.70 (T. tubifex-cocoon) mg/kg d.w., respectively. The EC₅₀ and the EC₁₀ values of L. variegatus were within these ranges. Following the EU Technical Guidance for deriving EQS, the lowest EC₁₀ value of 0.30mg/kg (T. tubifex-young worms) resulted in a PCP quality standard (QS) for sediments of 30ng/g, about one fourth of the tentative QS of 119ng/g estimated by the equilibrium partitioning (EqP) approach. The response of benthic biota to PCP varied across organisms and across end-points for the same organism, so that the use of sediment PCP-QS calculated using the EqP-approach may be under-protective of the most sensitive organisms. Information on the possible effects of PCP on resident organisms must therefore be collected for appropriately managing aquatic systems.

Bioassays as one of the Green Chemistry tools for assessing environmental quality: A review

For centuries, mankind has contributed to irreversible environmental changes, but due to the modern science of recent decades, scientists are able to assess the scale of this impact. The introduction of laws and standards to ensure environmental cleanliness requires comprehensive environmental monitoring, which should also meet the requirements of Green Chemistry. The broad spectrum of Green Chemistry principle applications should also include all of the techniques and methods of pollutant analysis and environmental monitoring. The classical methods of chemical analyses do not always match the twelve principles of Green Chemistry, and they are often expensive and employ toxic and environmentally unfriendly solvents in large quantities. These solvents can generate hazardous and toxic waste while consuming large volumes of resources. Therefore, there is a need to develop reliable techniques that would not only meet the requirements of Green Analytical Chemistry, but they could also complement and sometimes provide an alternative to conventional classical analytical methods. These alternatives may be found in bioassays. Commercially available certified bioassays often come in the form of ready-to-use toxkits, and they are easy to use and relatively inexpensive in comparison with certain conventional analytical methods. The aim of this study is to provide evidence that bioassays can be a complementary alternative to classical methods of analysis and can fulfil Green Analytical Chemistry criteria. The test organisms discussed in this work include single-celled organisms, such as cell lines, fungi (yeast), and bacteria, and multicellular organisms, such as invertebrate and vertebrate animals and plants.

Bioavailability and toxicity of zinc from contaminated freshwater sediments: linking exposure-dose-response relationships of the freshwater bivalve Hyridella australis to zinc-spiked sediments

To evaluate the use of the freshwater bivalve Hyridella australis as a potential biomonitor for zinc contamination in freshwater sediments, the bioavailability and toxicity of zinc contaminated sediments (low 44 ± 5, medium 526 ± 41, high 961 ± 38 μg/g dry mass) were investigated in laboratory microcosms for 28 days by examining H. australis exposure-dose-response relationships. Zinc concentrations in sediments and surface waters were measured as zinc exposure. Zinc in whole organism soft body tissues and five individual tissues were measured as organism zinc dose. Sub-cellular localisation of zinc in hepatopancreas tissues was investigated to further understand the zinc handling strategies and tolerance of H. australis. Total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation and lysosomal membrane stability were measured in hepatopancreas tissues as zinc induced biomarker responses. Accumulated zinc concentrations in whole body tissues of H. australis reflected the zinc exposure and exhibited exposure dependent zinc accumulation at day 28. Gills accumulated significantly higher zinc concentrations than other tissues, however, no significant differences in zinc accumulation between treatments were detected for any of the individual tissues analysed. Analysis of individual tissue zinc concentrations, therefore, may not offer any advantages for monitoring bioavailable zinc in freshwater environments with this organism. Relationships between tissue zinc and calcium concentration suggest accumulation of zinc by H. australis may have occurred as an analogue of calcium which is a major constituent in shell and granules of unionid bivalves. A high percentage of accumulated zinc in the hepatopancreas tissues was detoxified and stored in metallothionein like proteins and metal rich granules. Of the zinc accumulated in the biologically active metal pool, 59-70% was stored in the lysosome+microsome fraction. At the concentrations tested, increasing zinc exposure resulted in decreasing total antioxidant capacity and measurable increases in the sublethal effects, lipid peroxidation and lysosomal membrane destabilisation, were observed. Based on exposure-dose analysis, H. australis partially regulates zinc uptake and weakly exhibits bioavailability of zinc in freshwater environments, however, exposure-response analysis shows zinc induced toxicological effects, suggesting the potential of this organism as a biomonitor for zinc in heavily contaminated freshwater environments.

Enantioselective bioaccumulation and dissipation of soil-associated metalaxyl enantiomers in tubifex

Many pesticides are chiral compounds and stereochemistry is an important factor for any reaction of chiral structures in biological systems. In this study, experiment about bioaccumulation of the two metalaxyl enantiomers in Tubifex (Oligochaeta, Tubificida) was conducted in laboratory aquatic ecosystems. Terrestrial soil spiked with two dose levels of metalaxyl was employed as the artificial bottom substrate. A method of determination of metalaxyl enantiomers in tubifex tissue, soil and overlying water were developed by HPLC. During a 14-day exposure, concentrations of metalaxyl in tubifex increased with the of soil concentration, however, the enantioselective bioaccumulation was only detected at high-dose exposure group, with the preferential accumulation of (-)-(R)-metalaxyl. The bioturbation activity of tubifex decreased water clarity and released soil-associated metalaxyl to overlying water. In those experiments where tubifex was exposed to metalaxyl from soil, pore water and overlying water, each route contributed to the total body burden, and our results indicated the pore water and soil are the primary exposure routes for high-dose exposure concentration treatment.

Enantioselective bioaccumulation and degradation of sediment-associated metalaxyl enantiomers in Tubifex tubifex

Knowledge about the enantioselective bioavailability of chiral pesticides in aquatic organisms facilitates more accurate interpretation of their environmental behaviors. In this study, the enantioselective bioaccumulation of metalaxyl enantiomers in Tubifex tubifex was detected in two uptake pathways. For the spike water treatment, a 16 day exposure experiment was employed and the enantiomer fractions (EFs) in tubifex tissue were maintained approximately at 0.47 during the experiment. For the spike sediment treatment, a 14 day bioaccumulation period indicated the concentrations of (-)-(R)-metalaxyl were higher than those of (+)-(S)-metalaxyl. Therefore, the bioaccumulation of metalaxyl in worms was enantioselective for these treatments. With the presence of tubifex, higher concentrations of metalaxyl in overlying water and lower concentrations in sediment were detected than in worm-free treatments. This means that tubifex has positive functions in metalaxyl's diffusion from the sediment to overlying water and in the degradation of the sediment-associated metalaxyl.

Long-term incubation of adult Nereis virens (Annelida: Polychaeta) in copper-spiked sediment: the effects on adult mortality, gametogenesis, spawning and embryo development

Late gametogenic Nereis virens were incubated for up to 2.5 months in environmentally relevant concentrations of copper-spiked sediment. Sequential extraction confirmed that much more labile copper (in actual and percentage terms) was present as spiked concentrations increased, although the residual fractions contained similar amounts across concentrations. This is also reflected in the tissue concentration of the worms which increased in line with the sediment concentrations. Adult mortality was not dependent on the exposure time, but higher concentrations usually induced greater mortality for both sexes. Oocytes were significantly smaller at higher concentrations although pairwise comparisons did not show specific differences. Spawning of males occurred a number of days earlier in the higher concentrations. Differences in the number of embryos developing normally after in vitro fertilizations of oocytes fertilized with sperm from exposed males and non-exposed males showed that sperm were more susceptible to toxicity, but oocytes were also affected at the highest concentration. These results show that there are direct and indirect reproductive consequences of parental exposure to copper with implications for recruitment and subsequent colonization of polluted sediments for this ecologically and commercially important species.

Enantioselective bioaccumulation of soil-associated fipronil enantiomers in Tubifex tubifex

Enantioselective behavior of chiral pesticides in the aquatic environment has been a subject of growing interest. In this study, the enantioselective bioaccumulation of fipronil enantiomers in Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta, Tubificida) was detected in both spike-water and spike-soil systems, respectively. For the spike-water treatment, a 9-day exposure experiment was employed and the enantiomer fraction in tubifex tissue was maintained approximately at 0.58 during the experiment. In addition, a 14-day bioaccumulation period was chosen for the spike-soil treatment and a more significant deviation of enantiomer fraction from 0.5 in tubifex tissue was detected, with concentrations of the R-form higher than that of the S-form. Therefore, the bioaccumulation of fipronil was enantioselective in tubifex tissue for the two treatments and the magnitude of enantioselectivity may be influenced by different exposure conditions. For the spike-soil treatment, the concentrations of fipronil in verlying water and soil were also determined. With the presence of tubifex worms, higher concentrations of fipronil in overlying water and lower concentrations in soil were detected than that in the absence of tubifex treatment during the whole 14-day exposure period. This means that tubifex has positive functions in fipronil's diffusion from soil to overlying water and in the degradation of the soil-associated fipronil.

Cadmium toxicity assessment in juveniles of the Austral South America amphipod Hyalella curvispina

Hyalella curvispina is representative of zoobenthic communities in Austral South America. It is taxonomically close to Hyalella azteca and abundant in fresh water bodies of the pampasic region of Argentina. It is usually used as test organism in ecotoxicological studies at a regional level, and there is a strong concern to increase the knowledge of both their biology and their sensitivity to different toxic agents. The aim of the present work was to assess the effects of cadmium on H. curvispina juveniles exposed to concentrations expected in the water bodies of the distribution area of the species. Survival, growth and cadmium body burden were evaluated in aqueous and solid matrices under fixed experimental conditions. Animals were exposed in ten-day static toxicity bioassays to 2.5, 5.25 and 11.25 μg Cd/L for the aqueous-phase bioassays, and to 0.85, 2.8 and 5.6 mg Cd/Kg dry sediment for the solid-phase bioassays. In water only assays, the animals exposed to 11.25 μg Cd/L showed a significant decrease in survival and growth. In the sediment bioassays, no effect was observed on survival, and weight was significantly reduced at the highest concentration. Cadmium uptake was concentration dependent for both assay matrices and one order of magnitude higher in the aqueous medium than in the solid matrix. Results indicate that juveniles of H. curvispina are sensitive to cadmium concentrations expected in their environment and thus confirm their importance as test organisms for ecotoxicity assessment in water bodies within the distribution area of the species.

Effects of copper and cadmium spiked-sediments on embryonic development of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Because of their high capacity to accumulate contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals, aquatic sediments are considered as a long-term source of contamination for aquatic organisms. In compliance with the increasing interest both for sediment quality evaluation and the use of fish early life stage (ELS) toxicity assays, we proposed an embryo-larval test to evaluate embryotoxicity and genotoxicity of sediment-bound contaminants. Pre-blastula stage medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos were exposed by static sediment contact to two model heavy metals (cadmium and copper) at environmental concentrations during the whole 10-day embryonic development. Lethal and sub-lethal effects were recorded in both embryos and larvae for 20 days post fertilisation (dpf) using several global toxicity and phenotypic endpoints. The comet assay was also performed on medaka prolarvae to evaluate genotoxic effects of the tested chemicals. Environmental concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) did not affect embryo and larval survival. However, both heavy metals significantly induced morphological abnormalities, particularly spinal and cardiovascular deformities. Cd but not Cu induced tachycardia. Both heavy metals induced a significant increase in DNA damage at all tested concentrations. Resulting LOEC values for Cd and Cu corresponded to 1.9 and 8.5 μg/g d.w. sediment, respectively. Although metal bioavailability is probably lower for naturally contaminated sediments, the relatively low toxicity thresholds for both Cd and Cu raise the question of possible risk for fish embryos developing in direct contact to sediments. This study demonstrates the applicability, sensitivity and relevance of the Japanese medaka embryo-larval assay (MELA) to evaluate sediment hazardous potency at environmental concentrations of heavy metals.

Development and application of whole-sediment toxicity test using immobilized freshwater microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

A method for a whole-sediment toxicity test using alginate immobilized microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata was developed using spiked sediments and applied to contaminated field sediment samples. For method development, a growth inhibition test (72 h) with algal beads was conducted for the sediments spiked with Cu or diuron. The method was validated by determining dose-response relationships for Cu and diuron in both fine-grained and coarse-grained sediments. The results of a spiked sediment toxicity test suggested that sediment particle size distribution (clay content) had a significant effect on the growth of P. subcapitata. The developed method using immobilized microalgae P. subcapitata beads was applied successfully in the toxicity test and toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) for the four field sediment samples. After a series of extractions with 0.01 M CaCl(2) solution, acetone, and dichloromethane, the extracted sediment, which was shown to be nontoxic to algae, was used as the control and diluent for the same sediment in the whole-sediment toxicity test. The results showed that all investigated field sediment samples were found to be toxic to the immobilized algae P. subcapitata, with their median effective concentration (EC50) values ranging from 41.4 to 79.0% after 72 h exposure. In the whole sediment TIE, growth of P. subcapitata was improved to varying degrees after adding zeolite, resin, or activated charcoal, suggesting different contributions to toxicity from ammonia, metals, and organic contaminants in the tested sediments.

Laboratory culture of the freshwater benthic gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa (Reeve) and its utility as a test species for sediment toxicity

This study aimed to develop original laboratory culture and sediment toxicity testing protocols for the freshwater gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa (Reeve), a new potential species for sediment toxicity testing. B. aeruginosa was successfully cultured with an effective culture system under proposed laboratory conditions. Optimal ad libitum feeding levels for larvae, juveniles, and adults were 2.0, 6.0, and 16.0 mg fish food/(snail x day), respectively. Mean survival rates of juveniles were higher than 90%. The snails could be sexed at 9 weeks of age, and their generation time is approximately 4 months. Reproduction continued all year around; the mean fecundity was 0.55 newborn/(female x day). The utility of this species for bioassays was evaluated in both 10-day and 28-day case studies with artificial sediments. The 10-day LC50 of Cu for larvae was 480 gg/g dry weight (dw), and the lowest observed effects concentration of Cu for survival and growth of larvae was 195 microg/g dw. Survival and growth are reliable indicators of acute toxicity. Larvae accumulated more Cu than adults. B. aeruginosa exhibited a higher sensitivity to Cu exposure than standard test species (Hyalella azteca and Chironomus tentans). The 28-day test of sediment toxicity with adults showed that fecundity was a robust endpoint indicator of reproductive toxicity, and the biochemical endpoints of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione could be used as sensitive biomarkers for Cu-induced oxidative damage. B. aeruginosa can be therefore recommended as a candidate for the standardization of the freshwater sediment toxicity test protocol.

Copper toxicity on juveniles of Hyalella pseudoazteca González and Watling, 2003

The aim of this work is to evaluate the toxic effect of water and sediment contaminated with Cu(2+) on the survival and growth of juveniles of Hyalella pseudoazteca. The LC(50) 96 h for Cu(2+) in moderately hard water was 0.17 mg/L. The concentration of 100 mg Cu(2+)/kg in sediment was found to have an inhibitory growth effect. This study provides information on the toxic effects of Cu(2+) on a native benthic species occurring in the Pampean region, Argentina and contributes to validate, in this region, the interim use of Cu(2+) values recommended by the sediment quality guidelines for the Northern hemisphere.

Ecotoxicity assessment of river sediments and a critical evaluation of some of the procedures used in the aquatic oligochaete Tubifex tubifex chronic bioassay

Sediment from 27 river sites in Northern Spain were tested with the aquatic oligochaete Tubifex tubifex (Annelida, Clitellata) 28-day chronic bioassay. Sampling sites were chosen from those established by regulatory water agencies for water-quality surveillance networks in rivers of the Basque Country and the Ebro basin. Inclusion of this test in an assessment programme with chemical and benthic community data currently collected by the water agencies will enable a more comprehensive ecotoxicological assessment. Cocoon and adult biomass were used as end points in addition to percent mortality, number of cocoons, young per adult, and percent of hatch end points as proposed in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) guidelines. Ecotoxicity assessment of the sediments was carried out by comparing mortality, growth, and reproduction in test sediments with their respective experimental control. Cluster analysis resulted in four groups of sediments that were compared using multidimensional scaling ordination (MDS), and the contribution of toxicity end points and the relationship of chemical variables to the MDS ordination space were assessed by principal component correlation (PCC). A gradient of sediments from nontoxic (4 controls and 6 sediments) to severely toxic (8 sediments) was observed, with all of the original biological end points contributing significantly to the ordination. The most toxic sediments could be separated into 2 groups based on the effects of pollutants on mortality (4 sediments) or on reproduction and growth (4 sediments). Remaining sites were grouped together as toxic sediments but showed a variable degree of sublethal effects. The acceptability criteria for validation of the bioassay, as recommended by the ASTM, measured in the control batch of each bioassay were achieved for survival and cocoon production (coefficient of variation [CV] and variability with regard to their average calculated through laboratory control charts). However, the ASTM criteria were found to be strict for the CV for total number of young, and a more realistic criterion is proposed. New criteria are also suggested to improve quality assurance of the bioassay, namely, a minimum number of cocoons per adult in the control group.

Mixed reproductive strategy inTubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae)?

Despite the wide use of the tubificid oligochaete Tubifex tubifex in eco-toxicological studies, the reproductive strategy adopted by the species, that can reasonably be assumed to be the key to its ecological success, is still not well investigated. This study reports on breeding experiments analysed by allozyme markers (Pgi, Pgm, and Idh), accompanied by a study of the sperm production in the species, with the aim to: (1) clarify the type of uniparental reproduction adopted by the species, (2) test the hypothesis that uniparental reproduction is reversible, (3) investigate the occurrence of biparental reproduction in laboratory cultures. Studies of parent-offspring comparison at polymorphic allozyme loci showed parthenogenetic reproduction and maintenance of asexuality in the parthenogenetic individuals. A cross-breeding test performed with couples made up of randomly assorted individuals, whose genotype combinations were suitable for discriminating between sexual and asexual reproduction, failed to show biparental reproduction in laboratory cultures: T. tubifex always reproduced parthenogenetically. Unexpectedly, spermiogenetic analysis indicated that both kinds of sperm produced by the species (eusperm and parasperm) were differentiated in individuals raised either in cohort cultures or in isolation (first, second, and third parthenogenetic generations), with a similar pattern of sperm production correlated to the sexual stage. Interestingly, there was no avoidance of mating in any of the collective cultures analysed. Concomitance between parthenogenetic reproduction and a "normal" male functionality, which is typical of a sexually reproducing species, could be justified by a mixed reproductive strategy or a pseudogamy process occurring in T. tubifex. However, several aspects of the reproductive behaviour of the species deserve further investigation.