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Effects of Cadmium on Locomotor Activity Rhythms of the Amphipod Gammarus aequicauda.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20607530     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Behavioural responses are linked to complex biochemical and physiologic changes and may act as sensitive indicators of the sublethal effects of pollutants. This article investigates changes in the locomotor activity rhythms of the amphipod Gammarus aequicauda exposed to cadmium (Cd) as a model to study the effect of pollutants on an ecologically important species. Under a 12:12 h light-to-dark cycle, G. aequicauda showed a strict nocturnal rhythm, with 90.2 ± 0.4% of their total daily activity occurring during the night. Under constant darkness, circadian rhythms persisted for 10 days, with a mean periodicity of 24.32 h, thus confirming endogenous control. Exposure to sublethal concentrations of Cd (0.16, 0.20, 0.24, and 0.28 mg l(-1)) did not change the nocturnal activity patterns of G. aequicauda, although their swimming activity during the night was significantly decreased by exposure to concentrations of 0.24 and 0.28 mg Cd l(-1). In conclusion, locomotor activity bioassays using the amphipod G. aequicauda appeared to be a sensitive indicator of Cd contamination, and sensitivity and tolerance to Cd in short-term bioassays may depend on the time of the day tests are carried out. These results provide further support for the idea that behavioural end points in amphipods are useful indicators of pollutant exposure and that future studies should take circadian rhythms into consideration.
Authors:
P S Morillo-Velarde; J Lloret; A Marín; F J Sánchez-Vázquez
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-07-06
Journal Detail:
Title:  Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology     Volume:  60     ISSN:  1432-0703     ISO Abbreviation:  Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.     Publication Date:  2011 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-03-03     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0357245     Medline TA:  Arch Environ Contam Toxicol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  444-51     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Hydrology, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain, piedad.smv@um.es.
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