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Demertzioglou M, Genitsaris S, Mazaris AD, Kyparissis A, Voutsa D, Kozari A, Kormas KA, Stefanidou N, Katsiapi M, Michaloudi E, Moustaka-Gouni M. A catastrophic change in a european protected wetland: From harmful phytoplankton blooms to fish and bird kill. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 312:120038. [PMID: 36030951 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120038] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the processes that underlay an ecological disaster represents a major scientific challenge. Here, we investigated phytoplankton and zooplankton community changes before and during a fauna mass kill in a European protected wetland. Evidence on gradual development and collapse of harmful phytoplankton blooms, allowed us to delineate the biotic and abiotic interactions that led to this ecological disaster. Before the mass fauna kill, mixed blooms of known harmful cyanobacteria and the killer alga Prymnesium parvum altered biomass flow and minimized zooplankton resource use efficiency. These blooms collapsed under high nutrient concentrations and inhibitory ammonia levels, with low phytoplankton biomass leading to a dramatic drop in photosynthetic oxygenation and a shift to a heterotrophic ecosystem phase. Along with the phytoplankton collapse, extremely high numbers of red planktonic crustaceans-Daphnia magna, visible through satellite images, indicated low oxygen conditions as well as a decrease or absence of fish predation pressure. Our findings provide clear evidence that the mass episode of fish and birds kill resulted through severe changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics, and the alternation on key abiotic conditions. Our study highlights that plankton-related ecosystem functions mirror the accumulated heavy anthropogenic impacts on freshwaters and could reflect a failure in conservation and restoration measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Demertzioglou
- Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Savvas Genitsaris
- Section of Ecology and Taxonomy, School of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15784, Athens, Greece.
| | - Antonios D Mazaris
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Aris Kyparissis
- Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, 38446, Volos, Greece.
| | - Dimitra Voutsa
- Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Argyri Kozari
- Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos Ar Kormas
- Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, University of Thessaly, 38446, Volos, Greece.
| | - Natassa Stefanidou
- Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Matina Katsiapi
- EYATH SA, Water Supply Division/Drinking Water Treatment Facility, Nea Ionia, 57008, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Evangelia Michaloudi
- Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Maria Moustaka-Gouni
- Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity in defensive traits is an appropriate mechanism to cope with the variable hazard of a frequently changing predator spectrum. In the animal kingdom these so-called inducible defences cover the entire taxonomic range from protozoans to vertebrates. The inducible defensive traits range from behaviour, morphology, and life-history adaptations to the activation of specific immune systems in vertebrates. Inducible defences in prey species play important roles in the dynamics and functioning of food webs. Freshwater zooplankton show the most prominent examples of inducible defences triggered by chemical cues, so-called kairomones, released by predatory invertebrates and fish. The objective of this review is to highlight recent progress in research on inducible defences in freshwater zooplankton concerning behaviour, morphology, and life-history, as well as difficulties of studies conducted in a multipredator set up. Furthermore, we outline costs associated with the defences and discuss difficulties as well as the progress made in characterizing defence-inducing cues. Finally, we aim to indicate further possible routes in this field of research and provide a comprehensive table of inducible defences with respect to both prey and predator species.
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Bownik A, Ślaska B, Dudka J. Cisplatin affects locomotor activity and physiological endpoints of Daphnia magna. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 384:121259. [PMID: 31699481 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cisplatin (CPL) is a common antineoplastic drug used in human medicine for treatment of various cancer types. Since the knowledge about its effects on crustacean behavioral and physiological parameters is very scarce, the aim of our study was to determine the influence of CPL at concentrations of 125 μg/L, 200 μg/L, 500 μg/L and 1000 μg/L on swimming behavior (swimming speed, distance travelled, hopping frequency, propelling efficiency index - a novel parameter) and physiological parameters (heart rate, thoracic limb activity) of Daphnia magna with the use of video digital analysis. The results showed that distance travelled, swimming speed, hopping frequency and propelling efficiency were inhibited as early as after 24 h in concentration- and time-dependent manner. On the other hand, heart rate was stimulated in the animals treated with 125 μg/L of CPL after 48 h, 72 h and 120 h of the exposure, however it was decreased at the higher concentrations. Although thoracic limb activity was considerably increased in daphnids exposed to 125 μg/L and 200 μg/L after 72 h, it was inhibited at the higher concentrations of the drug. The study suggests that since CPL affected daphnid parameters at the environmental concentration, it should be considered as hazardous to zooplankton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Bownik
- Depertment of Hydrobiology and Protection of Ecosystems, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Dobrzańskiego 37, 20-62 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Brygida Ślaska
- Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jarosław Dudka
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, 8b Jaczewskiego Str, Lublin, Poland
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