Effects of short-term exposure to a pesticide mixture on free-swimming behavior in goldfish, Carassius auratus

Authors

Esmirna Cantu, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Michelle Rivera, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Brittney Lacy, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Md Saydur Rahman, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2023

Abstract

Highlights

• We observed effects of pesticides exposure on free-swimming behaviors in goldfish.

• Pesticides profoundly impacting natural swimming patterns.

• Behavioral analysis showed a dose- and time-dependent, decrease in distance swam.

• Vertical/horizontal spatial behavioral use both affected under exposure conditions.

Abstract

The prevalence of pesticides in the aquatic environment continues to increase due to anthropogenic activities and poses a threat to aquatic organisms. Notably, the intensive use of pesticides can cause detrimental effects (i.e., chemical stressors) on animal behavior. The aim of this study was to determine the short-term exposure effects (5-day) of an environmentally relevant pesticide mixture (low- and high-dose: metolachlor 2.4 and 12 μg/L; linuron 2.0 and 10 μg/L; isoproturon 1.2 and 6.0 μg/L; tebucanazole 1.2 and 6.0 μg/L; alconifen 0.8 and 4.0 μg/L; atrazine 0.4 and 2.0 μg/L; pendimethalin; 0.4 and 2.0 μg/L; azinphos-methyl 0.8 and 4.0 μg/L) on fish swimming behaviors. Results indicated that a low dose of pesticide mixture decreased the distance swam in goldfish. Spatial behavior use was also altered during short-term pesticide exposure, with increased time spent in the lowest horizontal region in aquariums in both low- and high-dose exposure groups. In vertical spatial use analysis, all exposure groups showed lowered amounts of time spent in the middle region in aquariums, especially in high-dose exposure groups. Collectively, these data indicate that short-term exposure to pesticide mixture significantly alters free-swimming behavior in teleost species.

Comments

Under a Creative Commons license

Recommended Citation

Cantu, Esmirna, et al. "Effects of short-term exposure to a pesticide mixture on free-swimming behavior in goldfish, Carassius auratus." Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 11 (2023): 100350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2023.100350

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances

DOI

10.1016/j.hazadv.2023.100350