Development and validation of a behavioural assay to measure the tolerance of Hediste diversicolor to copper.
The behaviour of Hediste diversicolor from the Humber was investigated under different concentrations of copper sulphate. A range of behaviours were indicative of metal-stress. These included consistent attempts at burrowing, eversion of the proboscis and abnormal crawling. The bioassay itself consisted of exposing worms to increasing concentrations of copper sulphate and recording the concentration at which a stress response was elicited. The behavioural end-points were shown to be a good predictor of time of death of Fal estuary worms under acutely toxic conditions. The bioassay would therefore allow the separation of tolerance phenotypes without mortality to the worm. Worms were not affected by consecutive bioassays and it was proposed that tolerance to more than one metal could be determined for individual worms.
Burlinson
Frazer C
FC
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX, UK.
Lawrence
Andrew J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015982:Bias; D019327:Copper Sulfate / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D011077:Polychaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D013550:Swimming; D016138:Walking
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019327:Copper Sulfate