title: Evaluation of mentum deformities of Chironomus spp. (Chironomidae: Diptera) larvae using modified toxic score index (MTSI) to assess the environmental stress in Juru River Basin, Penang, Malaysia.
abstract: Morphological mentum deformities which represent sublethal effect of exposure to different types of pollutants were evaluated in Chironomus spp. larvae inhabiting three polluted rivers of Juru River Basin in northwestern peninsular Malaysia. Using mentum deformity incidences, the modified toxic score index (MTSI) was developed based on Lenat's toxic score index (TSI). The suggested MTSI was compared with TSI in terms of its effectiveness to identify different pollutants including heavy metals. The MTSI showed stronger relationship to total deformity incidence expressed as percentage. Additionally, the multivariate RDA model showed higher capability of MTSI to explain the variations in heavy metal contents of the river sediments. The MTSI was recommended in bioassessment of water and sediment quality using the mentum deformities of Chironomus spp. larvae from aquatic ecosystems receiving anthropogenic, agricultural, or industrial discharges.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800 Penang, Malaysia. alshami200@gmail.com
authors.forename: Salman Abdo
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Al-Shami
authors.forename: Mad Rawi Che
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Salmah
authors.forename: Ahmad Abu
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Mohd Nor Siti
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Azizah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002683:Chironomidae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008296:Malaysia; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical