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For decades, we have known that chemicals affect human and wildlife behavior. Moreover, due to recent technological and computational advances, scientists are now increasingly aware that a wide variety of contaminants and other environmental stressors adversely affect organismal behavior and subsequent ecological outcomes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. There is also a groundswell of concern that regulatory ecotoxicology does not adequately consider behavior, primarily due to a lack of standardized toxicity methods. This has, in turn, led to the exclusion of many behavioral ecotoxicology studies from chemical risk assessments. To improve understanding of the challenges and opportunities for behavioral ecotoxicology within regulatory toxicology/risk assessment, a unique workshop with international representatives from the fields of behavioral ecology, ecotoxicology, regulatory (eco)toxicology, neurotoxicology, test standardization, and risk assessment resulted in the formation of consensus perspectives and recommendations, which promise to serve as a roadmap to advance interfaces among the basic and translational sciences, and regulatory practices.
Alex T. Ford; Marlene Ågerstrand; Bryan W. Brooks; Joel Allen; Michael G. Bertram; Tomas Brodin; Zhichao Dang; Sabine Duquesne; René Sahm; Frauke Hoffmann; Henner Hollert; Stefanie Jacob; Nils Klüver; James M. Lazorchak; Mariana Ledesma; Steven D. Melvin; Silvia Mohr; Stephanie Padilla; Gregory G. Pyle; Stefan Scholz; Minna Saaristo; Els Smit; Jeffery A. Steevens; Sanne Van Den Berg; Werner Kloas; Bob B.M. Wong; Michael Ziegler; Gerd Maack. The Role of Behavioral Ecotoxicology in Environmental Protection. Environmental Science & Technology 2021, 55, 5620 -5628.
AMA StyleAlex T. Ford, Marlene Ågerstrand, Bryan W. Brooks, Joel Allen, Michael G. Bertram, Tomas Brodin, Zhichao Dang, Sabine Duquesne, René Sahm, Frauke Hoffmann, Henner Hollert, Stefanie Jacob, Nils Klüver, James M. Lazorchak, Mariana Ledesma, Steven D. Melvin, Silvia Mohr, Stephanie Padilla, Gregory G. Pyle, Stefan Scholz, Minna Saaristo, Els Smit, Jeffery A. Steevens, Sanne Van Den Berg, Werner Kloas, Bob B.M. Wong, Michael Ziegler, Gerd Maack. The Role of Behavioral Ecotoxicology in Environmental Protection. Environmental Science & Technology. 2021; 55 (9):5620-5628.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlex T. Ford; Marlene Ågerstrand; Bryan W. Brooks; Joel Allen; Michael G. Bertram; Tomas Brodin; Zhichao Dang; Sabine Duquesne; René Sahm; Frauke Hoffmann; Henner Hollert; Stefanie Jacob; Nils Klüver; James M. Lazorchak; Mariana Ledesma; Steven D. Melvin; Silvia Mohr; Stephanie Padilla; Gregory G. Pyle; Stefan Scholz; Minna Saaristo; Els Smit; Jeffery A. Steevens; Sanne Van Den Berg; Werner Kloas; Bob B.M. Wong; Michael Ziegler; Gerd Maack. 2021. "The Role of Behavioral Ecotoxicology in Environmental Protection." Environmental Science & Technology 55, no. 9: 5620-5628.
Animal behaviour is becoming increasingly popular as an endpoint in ecotoxicology due to its increased sensitivity and speed compared to traditional endpoints. However, the widespread use of animal behaviours in environmental risk assessment is currently hindered by a lack of optimisation and standardisation of behavioural assays for model species. In this study, assays to assess swimming speed were developed for a model crustacean species, the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana. Preliminary works were performed to determine optimal arena size for this species, and weather lux used in the experiments had an impact on the animals phototactic response. Swimming speed was significantly lower in the smallest arena, whilst no difference was observed between the two larger arenas, suggesting that the small arena was limiting swimming ability. No significant difference was observed in attraction to light between high and low light intensities. Arena size had a significant impact on phototaxis behaviours. Large arenas resulted in animals spending more time in the light side of the arena compared to medium and small, irrespective of light intensity. The swimming speed assay was then used to expose specimens to a range of psychotropic compounds with varying modes of action. Results indicate that swimming speed provides a valid measure of the impacts of behaviour modulating compounds on A. franciscana. The psychotropic compounds tested varied in their impacts on animal behaviour. Fluoxetine resulted in increased swimming speed as has been found in other crustacean species, whilst oxazepam, venlafaxine and amitriptyline had no significant impacts on the behaviours measured. The results from this study suggest a simple, fast, high throughput assay for A. franciscana and gains insight on the impacts of a range of psychotropic compounds on the swimming behaviours of a model crustacean species used in ecotoxicology studies.
Shanelle Kohler; Matthew Parker; Alex Ford. High-Throughput Screening of Psychotropic Compounds: Impacts on Swimming Behaviours in Artemia franciscana. Toxics 2021, 9, 64 .
AMA StyleShanelle Kohler, Matthew Parker, Alex Ford. High-Throughput Screening of Psychotropic Compounds: Impacts on Swimming Behaviours in Artemia franciscana. Toxics. 2021; 9 (3):64.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShanelle Kohler; Matthew Parker; Alex Ford. 2021. "High-Throughput Screening of Psychotropic Compounds: Impacts on Swimming Behaviours in Artemia franciscana." Toxics 9, no. 3: 64.
Sperm quantity/quality are significant reproductive endpoints with clear links to population level dynamics. Amphipods are important model organisms in environmental toxicology. Despite this, field monitoring of male fertility in invertebrates has rarely been used in monitoring programs. The aim of this study was to compare sperm quality/quantity in an amphipod collected at six UK locations with differing water quality. Due to low sperm counts and an observed lack of relationship between sperm count and weight in amphipods collected from a nationally protected conservation area (Langstone Harbour, England), we also compared datasets from this site over a decade to determine the temporal significance of this finding. One collection to evaluate a female reproductive endpoint was also performed at this site. Interestingly, this harbour consistently presented some of the lowest sperm counts comparable to highly industrial sites and low eggs number from females. Amphipods collected from all the sites, except from Langstone Harbour, presented strong positive correlations between sperm count and weight. Given Langstone Harbour has several international and national protected statutes primarily for marine life and birds, our results indicate that E. marinus, one important food component for wading birds, might be impacted by unknown reproductive stressors. These unknown stressors maybe related to agricultural runoff, leachate from historical landfills and effluent from storm water overflows. This study highlights the importance of exploring new reproductive endpoints such as sperm quantity/quality in marine monitoring programs.
Marina Tenório Botelho; Neil Fuller; Monizze Vannuci-Silva; Gongda Yang; Kara Richardson; Alex T. Ford. Unusual male size vs sperm count relationships in a coastal marine amphipod indicate reproductive impairment by unknown toxicants. Aquatic Toxicology 2021, 233, 105793 .
AMA StyleMarina Tenório Botelho, Neil Fuller, Monizze Vannuci-Silva, Gongda Yang, Kara Richardson, Alex T. Ford. Unusual male size vs sperm count relationships in a coastal marine amphipod indicate reproductive impairment by unknown toxicants. Aquatic Toxicology. 2021; 233 ():105793.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarina Tenório Botelho; Neil Fuller; Monizze Vannuci-Silva; Gongda Yang; Kara Richardson; Alex T. Ford. 2021. "Unusual male size vs sperm count relationships in a coastal marine amphipod indicate reproductive impairment by unknown toxicants." Aquatic Toxicology 233, no. : 105793.
Manmade chemicals can interfere with endocrine processes and have permeated many ecosystems. Arguably, the most devastating example of endocrine disruption occurred in gastropod molluscs which led to the banning of tributyltin. The invertebrates consist of ∼95% of all known animals and possess endocrine systems that can significantly differ from that of vertebrates. An expert group in the late 1990s highlighted considerable paucity in our knowledge of these endocrine systems and the limited ability to ascertain risks of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to invertebrates. Twenty years later, we surveyed experts in this field on the current state of the science. Respondents agreed that endocrine disruption is still a significant issue and noted that there was key evidence that EDCs were impacting invertebrates groups. Respondents noted a variety of impediments to advancing the science, including inadequate funding, insufficient knowledge to develop appropriate assays, and generally low support for invertebrate studies. Several scientists highlighted that resources were being misdirected with studies that address impacts of vertebrate EDCs or using biomarkers specific to vertebrate endocrine disruption. Sadly, many of the recommendations proposed by respondents matched those made over two decades ago. Accordingly, the field has not advanced as much as one might have expected.
Alex T. Ford; Gerald A. Leblanc. Endocrine Disruption in Invertebrates: A Survey of Research Progress. Environmental Science & Technology 2020, 54, 13365 -13369.
AMA StyleAlex T. Ford, Gerald A. Leblanc. Endocrine Disruption in Invertebrates: A Survey of Research Progress. Environmental Science & Technology. 2020; 54 (21):13365-13369.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlex T. Ford; Gerald A. Leblanc. 2020. "Endocrine Disruption in Invertebrates: A Survey of Research Progress." Environmental Science & Technology 54, no. 21: 13365-13369.
The effects of antidepressants in the environment are starting to generate considerable interest due to the fact that neurotransmitters influence a range of biological processes. Crypsis is an important behavioural and physiological response in many crustaceans modulated by monoamine and pigment dispersing/concentrating hormones. This study aimed to develop a test methodology and investigate the effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), fluoxetine, on a chromatophore index and overall carapace ‘darkness’ in the common sand shrimp Crangon crangon. Adult shrimp were exposed for either 1 h, 1 day or 1 week across a range of nominal fluoxetine concentrations (10 ng/L, 100 ng/L and 1000 ng/L) and the chromatophore index or carapace percentage ‘darkness’ was recorded following 30 min on white and black substrates. These experiments were repeated three times using different specimens. Animals became significantly darker (~20%) on darker background and lighter on light backgrounds as one might expect. However, time periods over which the animals were recorded had a significant impact on the colouration suggesting habituation to laboratory conditions. Fluoxetine exposure came up as a significant factor in two of the three trials for the chromatophore index but the results was inconsistent between trials. There was a high degree of correlation between the chromatophore index and the percentage darkness analyses however, there was no significant effects for fluoxetine exposure with the percentage darkness data. We conclude that the effects on antidepressants on colour change remain inconclusive from these experiments and we discuss potential areas to improve the repeatability of the experiments.
Alex T. Ford; Eleanor Feuerhelm. Effects of the antidepressant fluoxetine on pigment dispersion in chromatophores of the common sand shrimp, Crangon crangon: repeated experiments paint an inconclusive picture. Ecotoxicology 2020, 29, 1368 -1376.
AMA StyleAlex T. Ford, Eleanor Feuerhelm. Effects of the antidepressant fluoxetine on pigment dispersion in chromatophores of the common sand shrimp, Crangon crangon: repeated experiments paint an inconclusive picture. Ecotoxicology. 2020; 29 (9):1368-1376.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlex T. Ford; Eleanor Feuerhelm. 2020. "Effects of the antidepressant fluoxetine on pigment dispersion in chromatophores of the common sand shrimp, Crangon crangon: repeated experiments paint an inconclusive picture." Ecotoxicology 29, no. 9: 1368-1376.
The prevalence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in lotic habitats is increasing, with the main source of these contaminants being effluent from waste water treatment works (WwTW). There is still much uncertainty about the impacts of these PPCPs at environmentally relevant concentrations and their potential effects on aquatic ecology. Behaviour is a sensitive endpoint which can help evaluate possible population level effects from changes in physiology. This paper evaluates the effects of WwTW effluent on a range of behaviours in the freshwater invertebrate, Gammarus pulex. Effluent taken from the outflow of two WwTW in southern England was used in the study. Behavioural analyses, namely feeding rate, phototaxis, activity, velocity and precopula pairing, were measured in G. pulex following a period of one and three weeks after exposure to a 50% or 100% effluent and a control. Mortality remained very low throughout the 3 week experiment (0–10%, n = 20) and no significant changes in moulting frequency were observed (p > 0.05). No significant effects on feeding or velocity or phototaxis following 3 weeks of effluent exposures were observed (p > 0.05). However, significant reductions were observed in the overall activity over 3 weeks across which appeared to be exacerbated by exposure to effluents. Interestingly, males exposed for 3 weeks to WwTW effluent re-paired with unexposed females significantly faster (4-6x) than control animals. This result was consistent between the effluents taken from the two WwTW. The implications of these behavioural changes are currently unknown but highlight the need for a varied set of tools to study the behavioural changes in wildlife.
Neil Crooks Love; Neil Crooks; Alex T. Ford. The effects of wastewater effluent on multiple behaviours in the amphipod, Gammarus pulex. Environmental Pollution 2020, 267, 115386 .
AMA StyleNeil Crooks Love, Neil Crooks, Alex T. Ford. The effects of wastewater effluent on multiple behaviours in the amphipod, Gammarus pulex. Environmental Pollution. 2020; 267 ():115386.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNeil Crooks Love; Neil Crooks; Alex T. Ford. 2020. "The effects of wastewater effluent on multiple behaviours in the amphipod, Gammarus pulex." Environmental Pollution 267, no. : 115386.
Behavior is a useful endpoint in ecotoxicological research; it links the biochemical effects of contamination with physiology of individuals, which can be applied to higher levels of organization with relevance to ecology. Animals exhibit species-specific and sex specific behaviors. Previous experiments within ecotoxicology using amphipods as models have either not separated by sex or have on the assumption that they may create more variability in the results. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of time (which controlled light conditions), sex, and the interaction of time and sex on the swimming velocity in males and females of the marine amphipod Echinogammarus marinus. E. marinus exhibited a phototactic response to light, as is consistent with previous findings. It was determined that females swim significantly faster than males and that this response was enhanced during periods when the lights were switched off. This suggests that a greater understanding of the baseline unconditioned behaviors of experimental organisms is needed to avoid impacts of unknown variables on results. The results of this study reveal significant sexual differences in the baseline behavior of E. marinus which has implications for future research in ecotoxicology. It is recommended that in future research specimens be separated by sex prior to experimentation, in order to account for possible behavioral differences such as those observed in the present studies. This study also highlights the need for thorough observation of behavior over shorter time intervals as larger intervals may miss short-term variations.
Taela-Rae Cherry; Shanelle A. Kohler; Alex T. Ford. Sex Specific Differences Recorded in the Behavior of an Amphipod: Implications for Behavioral Toxicology. Frontiers in Marine Science 2020, 7, 1 .
AMA StyleTaela-Rae Cherry, Shanelle A. Kohler, Alex T. Ford. Sex Specific Differences Recorded in the Behavior of an Amphipod: Implications for Behavioral Toxicology. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2020; 7 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTaela-Rae Cherry; Shanelle A. Kohler; Alex T. Ford. 2020. "Sex Specific Differences Recorded in the Behavior of an Amphipod: Implications for Behavioral Toxicology." Frontiers in Marine Science 7, no. : 1.
Because of their crucial role in ecotoxicological risk assessment, amphipods (Crustacea) are commonly employed as model species in a wide range of studies. However, despite their ecological importance, their genome has not yet been completely annotated and molecular mechanisms underlying key pathways, such as the serotonin pathway, in development of ecotoxicological biomarkers of exposure to neuroactive pharmaceuticals are still poorly understood. Furthermore, genetic similarities and discrepancies with other model arthropods (e.g., Drosophila melanogaster) have not been completely clarified. In this report, we present a new transcriptome assembly of Gammarus fossarum, an important amphipod species, widespread in Central Europe. RNA-Seq with Illumina HiSeq technology was used to analyse samples extracted from total internal tissues. We used the Trinity and Trinotate software suites for transcriptome assembly and annotation, respectively. The quality of this assembly and the affiliated targeted homology searches greatly enrich the molecular knowledge on this species. Because of the lack of publicly available molecular information on the serotonin pathway, we also highlighted sequence homologies and divergences of the genes encoding the serotonin pathway components of the well-annotated arthropod D. melanogaster, and Crustacea with the corresponding genes of our assembly. An inferior number of hits was found when running a BLAST analysis of both D. melanogaster and Crustacea mRNA sequences encoding serotonin receptors available in GenBank against the total assembly, compared to other serotonin pathway components. A lack of information on important components for serotonin biosynthesis and vesicle endocytosis (i.e., tryptophan hydroxylase and vesicular monoamine transporter) in Crustacea was also brought to light. Our results will provide an extensive transcriptional resource for this important species in ecotoxicological risk assessment and highlight the need for a more detailed categorization of neuronal pathways components in invertebrates.
Domenico R. Caputo; Samuel C. Robson; Inge Werner; Alex T. Ford. Complete transcriptome assembly and annotation of a critically important amphipod species in freshwater ecotoxicological risk assessment: Gammarus fossarum. Environment International 2020, 137, 105319 .
AMA StyleDomenico R. Caputo, Samuel C. Robson, Inge Werner, Alex T. Ford. Complete transcriptome assembly and annotation of a critically important amphipod species in freshwater ecotoxicological risk assessment: Gammarus fossarum. Environment International. 2020; 137 ():105319.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDomenico R. Caputo; Samuel C. Robson; Inge Werner; Alex T. Ford. 2020. "Complete transcriptome assembly and annotation of a critically important amphipod species in freshwater ecotoxicological risk assessment: Gammarus fossarum." Environment International 137, no. : 105319.
Suggestion for how the use of behavioral endpoints can improve in environmental risk assessment of chemicals.
Marlene Ågerstrand; Kathryn Arnold; Sigal Balshine; Tomas Brodin; Bryan W. Brooks; Gerd Maack; Erin S. McCallum; Greg G. Pyle; Minna Saaristo; Alex T. Ford. Emerging investigator series: use of behavioural endpoints in the regulation of chemicals. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts 2019, 22, 49 -65.
AMA StyleMarlene Ågerstrand, Kathryn Arnold, Sigal Balshine, Tomas Brodin, Bryan W. Brooks, Gerd Maack, Erin S. McCallum, Greg G. Pyle, Minna Saaristo, Alex T. Ford. Emerging investigator series: use of behavioural endpoints in the regulation of chemicals. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts. 2019; 22 (1):49-65.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarlene Ågerstrand; Kathryn Arnold; Sigal Balshine; Tomas Brodin; Bryan W. Brooks; Gerd Maack; Erin S. McCallum; Greg G. Pyle; Minna Saaristo; Alex T. Ford. 2019. "Emerging investigator series: use of behavioural endpoints in the regulation of chemicals." Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts 22, no. 1: 49-65.
Crustaceans have been designated as internationally important model organisms in the development of environmental radioprotection measures. Despite the known sensitivity of sperm to ionizing radiation, the impacts of chronic radiation exposure on male fertility in crustaceans have not been studied. For the first time, the present study aimed to assess the impacts of chronic radiation exposure on male fertility, sperm DNA damage and concomitant impacts on breeding in two amphipod crustaceans. Echinogammarus marinus and Gammarus pulex (male fertility only) were exposed to phosphorus-32 at dose rates of 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 mGy/d and sperm parameters, DNA damage and knock-on impacts on breeding were assessed. Sperm quality parameters and DNA damage were assessed using a fluorescent staining method and single cell gel electrophoresis respectively. Concomitant effects of male exposure to radiation on fecundity were determined by pairing phosphorus-32 exposed males to unexposed sexually mature females. In E. marinus, a statistically significant reduction of 9 and 11% in the quality of sperm was recorded at dose rates of 1 and 10 mGy/d respectively, with no significant effects recorded on sperm counts. Conversely in the freshwater G. pulex, no significant impact of radiation on sperm quantity or quality was recorded. For E. marinus, a statistically significant increase in DNA damage was recorded at doses of 10 mGy/d. Reduced fecundity and an increase in the frequency of abnormal embryos was recorded in female E. marinus breeding with males exposed to radiation. These findings suggest sperm quality may be a sensitive indicator of radiation exposure in invertebrates with potential impacts on the unexposed embryo, though unclear dose-response and differences between two closely related species necessitate further study before robust conclusions can be drawn.
Neil Fuller; Jim T. Smith; Alex T. Ford. Impacts of ionising radiation on sperm quality, DNA integrity and post-fertilisation development in marine and freshwater crustaceans. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2019, 186, 109764 .
AMA StyleNeil Fuller, Jim T. Smith, Alex T. Ford. Impacts of ionising radiation on sperm quality, DNA integrity and post-fertilisation development in marine and freshwater crustaceans. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2019; 186 ():109764.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNeil Fuller; Jim T. Smith; Alex T. Ford. 2019. "Impacts of ionising radiation on sperm quality, DNA integrity and post-fertilisation development in marine and freshwater crustaceans." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 186, no. : 109764.
Gammarids are amphipods found worldwide distributed in fresh and marine waters. They play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and are well established sentinel species in ecotoxicology. In this study, we sequenced the transcriptomes of a male individual and a female individual for seven different taxonomic groups belonging to the two genera Gammarus and Echinogammarus: Gammarus fossarum A, G. fossarum B, G. fossarum C, Gammarus wautieri, Gammarus pulex, Echinogammarus berilloni, and Echinogammarus marinus. These taxa were chosen to explore the molecular diversity of transcribed genes of genotyped individuals from these groups. Transcriptomes were de novo assembled and annotated. High-quality assembly was confirmed by BUSCO comparison against the Arthropod dataset. The 14 RNA-Seq-derived protein sequence databases proposed here will be a significant resource for proteogenomics studies of these ecotoxicologically relevant non-model organisms. These transcriptomes represent reliable reference sequences for whole-transcriptome and proteome studies on other gammarids, for primer design to clone specific genes or monitor their specific expression, and for analyses of molecular differences between gammarid species.
Yannick Cogne; Davide Degli-Esposti; Olivier Pible; Duarte Gouveia; Adeline François; Olivier Bouchez; Camille Eché; Alex Ford; Olivier Geffard; Jean Armengaud; Arnaud Chaumot; Christine Almunia. De novo transcriptomes of 14 gammarid individuals for proteogenomic analysis of seven taxonomic groups. Scientific Data 2019, 6, 184 .
AMA StyleYannick Cogne, Davide Degli-Esposti, Olivier Pible, Duarte Gouveia, Adeline François, Olivier Bouchez, Camille Eché, Alex Ford, Olivier Geffard, Jean Armengaud, Arnaud Chaumot, Christine Almunia. De novo transcriptomes of 14 gammarid individuals for proteogenomic analysis of seven taxonomic groups. Scientific Data. 2019; 6 (1):184.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYannick Cogne; Davide Degli-Esposti; Olivier Pible; Duarte Gouveia; Adeline François; Olivier Bouchez; Camille Eché; Alex Ford; Olivier Geffard; Jean Armengaud; Arnaud Chaumot; Christine Almunia. 2019. "De novo transcriptomes of 14 gammarid individuals for proteogenomic analysis of seven taxonomic groups." Scientific Data 6, no. 1: 184.
Analysis of genetic diversity represents a fundamental component of ecological risk assessments in contaminated environments. Many studies have assessed the genetic implications of chronic radiation exposure at Chernobyl, generally recording an elevated genetic diversity and mutation rate in rodents, plants, and birds inhabiting contaminated areas. Only limited studies have considered genetic diversity in aquatic biota at Chernobyl, despite the large number of freshwater systems where elevated dose rates will persist for many years. Consequently, the present study aimed to assess the effects of chronic radiation exposure on genetic diversity in the freshwater crustacean, Asellus aquaticus, using a genome‐wide SNP approach (Genotyping‐by‐sequencing). It was hypothesized that genetic diversity in A. aquaticus would be positively correlated with dose rate. A. aquaticus was collected from six lakes in Belarus and the Ukraine ranging in dose rate from 0.064 to 27.1 µGy/hr. Genotyping‐by‐sequencing analysis was performed on 74 individuals. A significant relationship between geographical distance and genetic differentiation confirmed the Isolation‐by‐Distance model. Conversely, no significant relationship between dose rate and genetic differentiation suggested no effect of the contamination gradient on genetic differentiation between populations. No significant relationship between five measures of genetic diversity and dose rate was recorded, suggesting that radiation exposure has not significantly influenced genetic diversity in A. aquaticus at Chernobyl. This is the first study to adopt a genome‐wide SNP approach to assess the impacts of environmental radiation exposure on biota. These findings are fundamental to understanding the long‐term success of aquatic populations in contaminated environments at Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Neil Fuller; Alex Ford; Adélaïde Lerebours; Dmitri Gudkov; Liubov L. Nagorskaya; Jim T. Smith. Chronic radiation exposure at Chernobyl shows no effect on genetic diversity in the freshwater crustacean, Asellus aquaticus thirty years on. Ecology and Evolution 2019, 9, 10135 -10144.
AMA StyleNeil Fuller, Alex Ford, Adélaïde Lerebours, Dmitri Gudkov, Liubov L. Nagorskaya, Jim T. Smith. Chronic radiation exposure at Chernobyl shows no effect on genetic diversity in the freshwater crustacean, Asellus aquaticus thirty years on. Ecology and Evolution. 2019; 9 (18):10135-10144.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNeil Fuller; Alex Ford; Adélaïde Lerebours; Dmitri Gudkov; Liubov L. Nagorskaya; Jim T. Smith. 2019. "Chronic radiation exposure at Chernobyl shows no effect on genetic diversity in the freshwater crustacean, Asellus aquaticus thirty years on." Ecology and Evolution 9, no. 18: 10135-10144.
Behavioural responses to contaminants are an important endpoint in ecotoxicology because they link effects at biochemical or cellular levels to impacts on individual fitness. Due to the increasing use of silver in nanomaterials, studies of its effects on the behaviour of aquatic organisms are important to assess the risks of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) released into the environment. The aim of this work was to evaluate the behavioural effects of silver on the marine amphipod Echinogammarus marinus after exposure to AgNO3 via water and AgCl or AgNP via food. Swimming activity of the amphipods was tracked during 6 min alternating dark and light conditions. Animals swam slower and responded less to light at higher concentrations of silver in the water. No differences were found in the behaviour of animals exposed via feeding up to 28 days, hence, longer exposure times may be required for the observation of effects. This is the first work to appraise behaviour effects of silver ions and AgNP on marine amphipods. Although the protocol has been successfully developed for this purpose, specimens appeared to habituate to test conditions during the experiments. Therefore, the need for further understanding of baseline behaviours in these model organisms is discussed.
Monizze Vannuci-Silva; Shanelle Kohler; Gisela De A. Umbuzeiro; Alex T. Ford. Behavioural effects on marine amphipods exposed to silver ions and silver nanoparticles. Environmental Pollution 2019, 252, 1051 -1058.
AMA StyleMonizze Vannuci-Silva, Shanelle Kohler, Gisela De A. Umbuzeiro, Alex T. Ford. Behavioural effects on marine amphipods exposed to silver ions and silver nanoparticles. Environmental Pollution. 2019; 252 ():1051-1058.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMonizze Vannuci-Silva; Shanelle Kohler; Gisela De A. Umbuzeiro; Alex T. Ford. 2019. "Behavioural effects on marine amphipods exposed to silver ions and silver nanoparticles." Environmental Pollution 252, no. : 1051-1058.
Assessing population responses to climate‐related environmental change is key to understanding the adaptive potential of the species as a whole. Coralline algae are critical components of marine shallow water ecosystems where they function as important ecosystem engineers. Populations of the calcifying algae Corallina officinalis from the center (southern UK) and periphery (northern Spain) of the North Atlantic species natural distribution were selected to test for functional differentiation in thermal stress response. Physiological measurements of calcification, photosynthesis, respiration, growth rates, oxygen, and calcification evolution curves were performed using closed cell respirometry methods. Species identity was genetically confirmed via DNA barcoding. Through a common garden approach, we identified distinct vulnerability to thermal stress of central and peripheral populations. Southern populations showed a decrease in photosynthetic rate under environmental conditions of central locations, and central populations showed a decline in calcification rates under southern conditions. This shows that the two processes of calcification and photosynthesis are not as tightly coupled as previously assumed. How the species as whole will react to future climatic changes will be determined by the interplay of local environmental conditions and these distinct population adaptive traits. OPEN RESEARCH BADGES This article has earned an Open Materials Badge for making publicly available the components of the research methodology needed to reproduce the reported procedure and analysis. All materials are available at https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.899568.
Regina Kolzenburg; Katy Nicastro; Sophie J. McCoy; Alex Ford; Gerardo Zardi; Federica Ragazzola. Understanding the margin squeeze: Differentiation in fitness‐related traits between central and trailing edge populations of Corallina officinalis. Ecology and Evolution 2019, 9, 5787 -5801.
AMA StyleRegina Kolzenburg, Katy Nicastro, Sophie J. McCoy, Alex Ford, Gerardo Zardi, Federica Ragazzola. Understanding the margin squeeze: Differentiation in fitness‐related traits between central and trailing edge populations of Corallina officinalis. Ecology and Evolution. 2019; 9 (10):5787-5801.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRegina Kolzenburg; Katy Nicastro; Sophie J. McCoy; Alex Ford; Gerardo Zardi; Federica Ragazzola. 2019. "Understanding the margin squeeze: Differentiation in fitness‐related traits between central and trailing edge populations of Corallina officinalis." Ecology and Evolution 9, no. 10: 5787-5801.
The influence of pharmaceuticals on the environment is an increasing concern among environmental toxicologists. It is known that their growing use is leading to detectable levels in wastewater, conceivably causing harm to aquatic ecosystems. Psychotropic medication is one such group of substances, particularly affecting high-income countries. While these drugs have a clear place in therapy, there is debate around the risk/benefit ratio in patients with mild mental health problems. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the wider implications as risks could extend beyond the individual to non-target organisms, particularly those in rivers and estuaries. None.
Alex T. Ford; Helena Herrera. ‘Prescribing’ psychotropic medication to our rivers and estuaries. BJPsych Bulletin 2018, 43, 147 -150.
AMA StyleAlex T. Ford, Helena Herrera. ‘Prescribing’ psychotropic medication to our rivers and estuaries. BJPsych Bulletin. 2018; 43 (4):147-150.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlex T. Ford; Helena Herrera. 2018. "‘Prescribing’ psychotropic medication to our rivers and estuaries." BJPsych Bulletin 43, no. 4: 147-150.
The use of behaviour in ecotoxicology is expanding, however the lack of standardisation and validation of these assays currently presents a major drawback in moving forward in the development of behavioural assays. Furthermore, there is a current paucity of control data on test species, particularly invertebrate models. In this study we assessed a range of behaviours associated with spatial distribution and locomotion in relation to arena size and shape in two species of amphipod crustacean (Echinogammarus marinus and Gammarus pulex). Arena shape had significant effects on almost all behavioural parameters analysed. Increasing arena size resulted in an increased mean velocity and activity plus increased proportional use of the central zones. These results indicate that ‘ceiling effects’ may occur in some ecotoxicological studies resulting in potentially ‘false’ negative effects if careful consideration is not paid to experimental design. Differences in behaviours were observed between the two species of amphipod. For example, G. pulex spend approximately five times (∼20%) more of the available time crossing the central zones of the arenas compared to E. marinus (∼4%) which could have implications on assessing anxiolytic behaviours. The results of this study highlight several behaviours with potential for use in behavioural ecotoxicology with crustaceans but also underscore the need for careful consideration when designing these behavioural assays.
Shanelle A. Kohler; Matthew O. Parker; Alex T. Ford. Shape and size of the arenas affect amphipod behaviours: implications for ecotoxicology. PeerJ 2018, 6, e5271 .
AMA StyleShanelle A. Kohler, Matthew O. Parker, Alex T. Ford. Shape and size of the arenas affect amphipod behaviours: implications for ecotoxicology. PeerJ. 2018; 6 ():e5271.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShanelle A. Kohler; Matthew O. Parker; Alex T. Ford. 2018. "Shape and size of the arenas affect amphipod behaviours: implications for ecotoxicology." PeerJ 6, no. : e5271.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals have been established to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals will require a healthy and productive environment. An understanding of the impacts of chemicals which can negatively impact environmental health is therefore essential to the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, current research on and regulation of chemicals in the environment tend to take a simplistic view and do not account for the complexity of the real world, which inhibits the way we manage chemicals. There is therefore an urgent need for a step change in the way we study and communicate the impacts and control of chemicals in the natural environment. To do this requires the major research questions to be identified so that resources are focused on questions that really matter. We present the findings of a horizon‐scanning exercise to identify research priorities of the European environmental science community around chemicals in the environment. Using the key questions approach, we identified 22 questions of priority. These questions covered overarching questions about which chemicals we should be most concerned about and where, impacts of global megatrends, protection goals, and sustainability of chemicals; the development and parameterization of assessment and management frameworks; and mechanisms to maximize the impact of the research. The research questions identified provide a first‐step in the path forward for the research, regulatory, and business communities to better assess and manage chemicals in the natural environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;9999:1–15. © 2018 SETAC
Paul J. Van Den Brink; Alistair B.A. Boxall; Lorraine Maltby; Bryan W. Brooks; Murray A. Rudd; Thomas Backhaus; David Spurgeon; Violaine Verougstraete; Charmaine Ajao; Gerald T. Ankley; Sabine E. Apitz; Kathryn Arnold; Tomas Brodin; Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles; Jennifer Chapman; Jone Corrales; Marie-Agnès Coutellec; Teresa F. Fernandes; Jerker Fick; Alex T. Ford; Gemma Giménez Papiol; Ksenia J. Groh; Thomas H. Hutchinson; Hank Kruger; Jussi V.K. Kukkonen; Stefania Loutseti; Stuart Marshall; Derek Muir; Manuel E. Ortiz-Santaliestra; Kai B. Paul; Andreu Rico; Ismael Rodea-Palomares; Jörg Römbke; Tomas Rydberg; Helmut Segner; Mathijs Smit; Cornelis A.M. van Gestel; Marco Vighi; Inge Werner; Elke I. Zimmer; Joke van Wensem. Toward sustainable environmental quality: Priority research questions for Europe. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2018, 37, 2281 -2295.
AMA StylePaul J. Van Den Brink, Alistair B.A. Boxall, Lorraine Maltby, Bryan W. Brooks, Murray A. Rudd, Thomas Backhaus, David Spurgeon, Violaine Verougstraete, Charmaine Ajao, Gerald T. Ankley, Sabine E. Apitz, Kathryn Arnold, Tomas Brodin, Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles, Jennifer Chapman, Jone Corrales, Marie-Agnès Coutellec, Teresa F. Fernandes, Jerker Fick, Alex T. Ford, Gemma Giménez Papiol, Ksenia J. Groh, Thomas H. Hutchinson, Hank Kruger, Jussi V.K. Kukkonen, Stefania Loutseti, Stuart Marshall, Derek Muir, Manuel E. Ortiz-Santaliestra, Kai B. Paul, Andreu Rico, Ismael Rodea-Palomares, Jörg Römbke, Tomas Rydberg, Helmut Segner, Mathijs Smit, Cornelis A.M. van Gestel, Marco Vighi, Inge Werner, Elke I. Zimmer, Joke van Wensem. Toward sustainable environmental quality: Priority research questions for Europe. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2018; 37 (9):2281-2295.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaul J. Van Den Brink; Alistair B.A. Boxall; Lorraine Maltby; Bryan W. Brooks; Murray A. Rudd; Thomas Backhaus; David Spurgeon; Violaine Verougstraete; Charmaine Ajao; Gerald T. Ankley; Sabine E. Apitz; Kathryn Arnold; Tomas Brodin; Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles; Jennifer Chapman; Jone Corrales; Marie-Agnès Coutellec; Teresa F. Fernandes; Jerker Fick; Alex T. Ford; Gemma Giménez Papiol; Ksenia J. Groh; Thomas H. Hutchinson; Hank Kruger; Jussi V.K. Kukkonen; Stefania Loutseti; Stuart Marshall; Derek Muir; Manuel E. Ortiz-Santaliestra; Kai B. Paul; Andreu Rico; Ismael Rodea-Palomares; Jörg Römbke; Tomas Rydberg; Helmut Segner; Mathijs Smit; Cornelis A.M. van Gestel; Marco Vighi; Inge Werner; Elke I. Zimmer; Joke van Wensem. 2018. "Toward sustainable environmental quality: Priority research questions for Europe." Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 37, no. 9: 2281-2295.
Behavioural studies in ecotoxicology are increasing with techniques and endpoints used in pharmacology being translated to other vertebrate and invertebrate species. Despite this, data on the baseline behaviours of model organisms, and inter-species variability in behaviour are currently under-studied. This study assessed a range of behaviours associated with anxiety including swimming speed, phototaxis and thigmotaxis in a marine and freshwater amphipod (Echinogammarus marinus and Gammarus pulex). Differences in sensitivity to these assays were observed between species with E. marinus showing a greater sensitivity to the phototaxis assay than G. pulex, while in thigmotaxis assays G. pulex appeared better suited than E. marinus for measuring differences in the use of central zones. Significant inter-species differences were also observed in swimming patterns when breaking the data into ten second time bins but not when data was broken into two-minute time bins. The results of this study provide evidence of phototactic and thigmotactic behaviours in two model crustacean species with potential for use in behavioural ecotoxicology. Inter-species variability in sensitivity to behavioural assays highlights the importance of systematic assessment of baseline responses for all model species used in behavioural studies. Careful analysis of data is also required when performing behavioural studies so as not to lose sensitivity in your data.
Shanelle A. Kohler; Matthew O. Parker; Alex T. Ford. Species-specific behaviours in amphipods highlight the need for understanding baseline behaviours in ecotoxicology. Aquatic Toxicology 2018, 202, 173 -180.
AMA StyleShanelle A. Kohler, Matthew O. Parker, Alex T. Ford. Species-specific behaviours in amphipods highlight the need for understanding baseline behaviours in ecotoxicology. Aquatic Toxicology. 2018; 202 ():173-180.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShanelle A. Kohler; Matthew O. Parker; Alex T. Ford. 2018. "Species-specific behaviours in amphipods highlight the need for understanding baseline behaviours in ecotoxicology." Aquatic Toxicology 202, no. : 173-180.
Nuclear accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima have led to contamination of the environment that will persist for many years. The consequences of chronic low-dose radiation exposure for non-human organisms inhabiting contaminated environments remain unclear. In radioecology, crustaceans are important model organisms for the development of environmental radioprotection. Previous laboratory studies have demonstrated deleterious effects of radiation exposure on crustacean reproduction. However, no studies have documented the effects of chronic radiation exposure on the reproduction of natural crustacean populations. Based on data from laboratory exposures, we hypothesised that populations of the freshwater isopod Asellus aquaticus exposed to radiation for thirty years at Chernobyl would display reduced reproductive output and altered timing of reproduction. To test this hypothesis, A. aquaticus was collected from six lakes at Chernobyl over two years with total dose rates ranging from 0.06–27.1 μGy/h. No significant differences in the fecundity, mass of broods or proportion of reproducing female A. aquaticus were recorded. Significant differences in the body mass of gravid females were recorded suggesting different timings of reproduction, however this was not related to radiation contamination. No significant effect of a range of environmental parameters on A. aquaticus reproduction was recorded. Our data suggests current dose rates at Chernobyl are not causing discernible effects on the reproductive output of A. aquaticus. This study is the first to assess the effects of chronic low-dose radiation exposure on the reproductive output of an aquatic invertebrate at Chernobyl. These findings are consistent with proposed radiological protection benchmarks for the maintenance of wildlife populations and will assist in management of environments impacted by radiation.
Neil Fuller; Alex Ford; Liubov L. Nagorskaya; Dmitri Gudkov; Jim T. Smith. Reproduction in the freshwater crustacean Asellus aquaticus along a gradient of radionuclide contamination at Chernobyl. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 628-629, 11 -17.
AMA StyleNeil Fuller, Alex Ford, Liubov L. Nagorskaya, Dmitri Gudkov, Jim T. Smith. Reproduction in the freshwater crustacean Asellus aquaticus along a gradient of radionuclide contamination at Chernobyl. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 628-629 ():11-17.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNeil Fuller; Alex Ford; Liubov L. Nagorskaya; Dmitri Gudkov; Jim T. Smith. 2018. "Reproduction in the freshwater crustacean Asellus aquaticus along a gradient of radionuclide contamination at Chernobyl." Science of The Total Environment 628-629, no. : 11-17.
Phylogenetically distant parasites often infect the same host. Indeed, co-infections can occur at levels greater than expected by chance and are sometimes hyperparasitic. The amphipod Echinogammarus marinus presents high levels of co-infection by two intracellular and vertically transmitted parasites, a paramyxid (Paramarteilia sp. Em) and a microsporidian strain (Dictyocoela duebenum Em). This co-infection may be hyperparasitic and result from an exploitative ‘hitchhiking’ or a symbiotic relationship between the parasites. However, the best-studied amphipod species are often collected from contaminated environments and may be immune-compromised. Immune-challenged animals frequently present co-infections and contaminant-exposed amphipods present significantly higher levels of microsporidian infection. This suggests the co-infections in E. marinus may result from contaminant-associated compromised immunity. Inconsistent with hyperparasitism, we find that artificial infections transmit Paramarteilia without microsporidian. Our population surveys reveal the co-infection relationship is geographically widespread but find only chance co-infection between the Paramarteilia and another species of microsporidian, Dictyocoela berillonum. Furthermore, we identify a haplotype of the Paramarteilia that presents no co-infection, even in populations with otherwise high co-infection levels. Overall, our results do not support the compromised-immunity hypothesis but rather that the co-infection of E. marinus, although non-hyperparasitic, results from a relationship between specific Paramarteilia and Dictyocoela duebenum strains.
Yasmin Guler; Stephen Short; Amaia Green Etxabe; Peter Kille; Alex T. Ford. Population screening and transmission experiments indicate paramyxid-microsporidian co-infection in Echinogammarus marinus represents a non-hyperparasitic relationship between specific parasite strains. Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 4691 .
AMA StyleYasmin Guler, Stephen Short, Amaia Green Etxabe, Peter Kille, Alex T. Ford. Population screening and transmission experiments indicate paramyxid-microsporidian co-infection in Echinogammarus marinus represents a non-hyperparasitic relationship between specific parasite strains. Scientific Reports. 2018; 8 (1):4691.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYasmin Guler; Stephen Short; Amaia Green Etxabe; Peter Kille; Alex T. Ford. 2018. "Population screening and transmission experiments indicate paramyxid-microsporidian co-infection in Echinogammarus marinus represents a non-hyperparasitic relationship between specific parasite strains." Scientific Reports 8, no. 1: 4691.