title: Size-selective toxicity effects of the antimicrobial tylosin on estuarine phytoplankton communities.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the lethal and sublethal effects of the antimicrobial tylosin on natural estuarine phytoplankton communities. Bioassays were used in experimental treatments with final concentrations of 5 to 1000 μg tylosin l(-1). Maximum percent inhibition ranged from 57 to 85% at concentrations of 200-400 μg tylosin l(-1). Half maximum inhibition concentrations of tylosin were ca. 5x lower for small phytoplankton (<20 μm) relative to larger phytoplankton (>20 μm) and suggests that small phytoplankton are more sensitive to tylosin exposure. Sublethal effects occurred at concentrations as low as 5 μg tylosin l(-1). Environmental concentrations of tylosin (e.g., 0.2-3 μg l(-1)) may have a significant sublethal effect that alters the size structure and composition of phytoplankton communities. The results of this study highlight the potential importance of cell size on toxicity responses of estuarine phytoplankton.
authors.affiliation: Marine Science Program and Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.affiliation: Marine Science Program and Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA. Electronic address: pinckney@sc.edu.
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pinckney
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D001681:Biological Assay; D063366:Estuaries; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D015645:Tylosin / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D015645:Tylosin
keywords: Cryptophyte; Diatom; Inhibition; Pharmaceutical; Sublethal; Tylosin