Responses of the mussel Anodontites trapesialis (Unionidae) to environmental stressors: effect of pH, temperature and metals on filtration rate.
To evaluate the suitability of the tropical freshwater mussel Anodontites trapesialis for ecotoxicity assays, we tested the effects of temperature, pH, and Cd, Cu and Zn on its filtration rate. This is a relevant, sensible sublethal endpoint given the ecological role that this mussel plays in Amazonian environments. Filtration rate was calculated from the clearance of algae, fed to mussels at different temperature, pH and metal concentrations. Filtration rate was highest at 20 degrees C and pH 8, and decreased at low temperatures and pH. For all metals clear dose-response relationships were found. Cd exerted the most toxic effects (EC(50filtration) 64microg/L) followed by Cu (605microg/L) and Zn (4064microg/L). Metal mixtures representing present pollution levels clearly affected filtration rates. The results suggest that A. trapesialis is a suitable ecotoxicological test organism for the Amazonian region.
Loayza-Muro
Raúl
R
Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Laboratories for Research and Development, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, P.O. Box 4314, Lima 100, Peru. fcecotox@upch.edu.pe
Elías-Letts
Rafaela
R
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004463:Ecology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity*; D057096:Shellfish Poisoning; D013696:Temperature; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D049876:Unionidae / Q000502:physiology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D015032:Zinc / Q000633:toxicity
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc