Effects of embryonic exposure to methylmercury on larval prey-capture ability in the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620140117· OSTI ID:6520288

Weis, J S ^[1]; Weis, P ^[2]

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1. Rutgers-the State Univ., Newark, NJ (United States). Dept. of Biological Sciences
2. New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ (United States). Dept. of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Injury Science

Embryos of the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) were exposed to 2, 5, or 10 [mu]g/L methylmercury (meHg) throughout development; these are concentrations below those which cause teratological effects in this species. After hatching, larvae were maintained in clean seawater and tested for pre-capture ability, using Artemia salina nauplii. Larvae that had been exposed to 10 [mu]g/L methylmercury initially exhibited slower prey-capture ability than did the other groups. This is an indication of a subtle functional impairment due to the toxicant (behavioral teratology). However, the effect was transitory, and by about 1 week after hatching the pre capture of these larvae equaled that of the controls and the other treated groups. Growth of these larvae was also comparable to that of controls. The exposure may have caused retardation of neurological development, which was subsequently compensated for, and therefore no long-lasting effects were produced. In the field, however, embryos exposed to toxicants would probably continue to be exposed as larvae, and might not have the opportunity to recover from the deleterious effects, but rather might have them augmented.

• OSTI ID: 6520288
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Vol. 14:1; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
FISHES
SENSITIVITY
METHYLMERCURY
TERATOGENESIS
PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS
WATER POLLUTION
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology