The influence of cadmium on life-history parameters and gut microflora of Archegozetes longisetosus (Acari: Oribatida) under laboratory conditions.
We tested the effect of cadmium (25, 130 microg Cd g(-1)), administered via Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.) as food on life-history parameters and gut microflora of tritonymphs and adults of the oribatid mite, Archegozetes longisetosus Aoki. Both concentrations of Cd had an adverse effect on offspring mortality, and the higher concentration also reduced female fecundity, as well as the number of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes, and it changed the community structure of bacteria; the proportion of gram-negative bacteria increased while that of gram-positive bacteria declined. Interestingly, at the lower Cd concentration microflora was more abundant and diverse than in the control group, especially in the tritonymphs, although the mean activity of gut microflora was reduced. The higher Cd concentration reduced microflora activity both in the tritonymphs and adults.
Seniczak
Anna
A
Department of Ecology, University of Technology and Life Sciences, Bydgoszcz, Poland. aseniczak@utp.edu.pl
Ligocka
Anna
A
Seniczak
Stanisław
S
Paluszak
Zbigniew
Z
D000053:Acari / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D009758:Nymph; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium