Genetic ecotoxicology of radionuclides in mosquitofish: An overview

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:460475

Theodorakis, C W ^[1]; Blaylock, B G ^[2]; Shugart, L R ^[3]

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1. Oak Ridge Associated Universities, TN (United States)
2. SENES, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
3. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

This paper summarizes several experiments conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory over the last several years. In 1977, approximately 250 western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were transplanted from a non-contaminated pond into a radionuclide-contaminated settling basin. These, two populations, along with an additional contaminated and non-contaminated population, are the focus of these studies. Parameters measured were DNA strand breaks, fecundity, embryonic abnormalities, and RAPD and allozyme genotypes. The results are as follows: (1) the fish from the contaminated sites had more strand breaks than reference fish; (2) the number of strand breaks were negatively correlated with fecundity and positively correlated with abnormalities; (3) the contaminated populations had higher genetic diversity, and displayed a higher frequency of certain RAPD markers (contaminant-indicative markers) as well as nucleoside phosphorylase (NP) heterozygotes; (4) fish which displayed the contaminant-indicative markers or were NP heterozygotes had higher fecundity and fewer strand breaks than other fish when exposed to radiation. These types of studies are significant because they integrate responses from the molecular, organismal and population levels of biological organization. These results are discussed in relation to needs for future study and relevancy of RAPD research, as well as genetic ecotoxicology in general, to environmental monitoring programs.

• OSTI ID: 460475
• Report Number(s): CONF-961149--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CONTAMINATION
FISHES
GENETIC RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOINDUCTION
STRAND BREAKS
SURFACE WATERS