Electroantennogram measurement of the olfactory response of Daphnia spp. and its impairment by waterborne copper.
In this study an electroantennogram (EAG) method was developed for use on live daphniids. The EAG response of Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex to a variety of amino acids was measured. The strongest response measured was elicited by L-arginine and was shown to induce a concentration-dependent response indicating the response is olfactory in nature. Subsequent exposures of D. magna to a low, ecologically-relevant concentration of copper (7.5 μg/L) showed a disruption in EAG function. This study utilizes the development of an EAG method for measuring olfactory acuity of live daphniids and demonstrates that at ecologically-relevant concentrations, the olfactory dysfunction caused by copper can be detected. The EAG technique is a useful tool for investigating the olfactory response of daphniids to odourants at the cellular level and detecting the effects of toxicants on the olfactory acuity of daphniids.
Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada P7B 5E1.
Christy K
CK
Simbeya
Catherine E
CE
Csuzdi
William A
WA
Dew
Greg G
GG
Pyle
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine; D057506:Arthropod Antennae / Q000187:drug effects; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity*; D003621:Daphnia / Q000187:drug effects*; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper; D001120:Arginine