title: Comparative study of microcystin-LR-induced behavioral changes of two fish species, Danio rerio and Leucaspius delineatus.
abstract: The spontaneous locomotor behavior separated into day/night activity phases of two fish species Danio rerio and Leucaspius delineatus was recorded and quantified continuously under sublethal long-term exposure to microcystin-LR in tanks. Microcystin-LR was applied in concentrations of 0.5, 5, 15, and 50 microg L(-1). By using an automated video-monitoring and object-tracing system, the average motility (swimming velocity) and the average number of turns were assessed. Clear dose-dependent effects of microcystin-LR on the behavior of both test fish were measured. During the daytime, the motility of Danio rerio as well as Leucaspius delineatus increased significantly by exposure to the lowest concentrations, whereas higher concentrations led to significantly decreased motility. Influenced by microcystin-LR, the swimming time of Leucaspius delineatus reversed, going from a prominently diurnal activity to a nocturnal one; Danio rerio remained active during the daytime. Most of the relative changes in the behavioral patterns of Danio rerio and Leucaspius delineatus suggest these fish have comparable susceptibility to microcystin-LR and may indicate some adverse consequences for fish populations, for example, in connection with reproduction and predator-prey interactions.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Biogeochemical Regulation, Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baganz
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Staaks
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pflugmacher
authors.forename: Christian E W
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Steinberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D000458:Cyanobacteria; D003530:Cyprinidae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020387:Food Chain; D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000633:toxicity*; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013550:Swimming; D015027:Zebrafish
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; C057862:cyanoginosin LR