Title: Do Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles acclimatise to sub-lethal copper?

Authors: Natalia Alejandra Ossana, Patricia Monica Castane, Patricia Laura Sarmiento, Alfredo Salibian

Addresses: Applied Ecophysiology Program, Basic Sciences Department (PRODEA-INEDES), National University of Lujan, P.O. Box 221, (B6700ZBA)-Lujan, Argentina. ' Applied Ecophysiology Program, Basic Sciences Department (PRODEA-INEDES), National University of Lujan, P.O. Box 221, (B6700ZBA)-Lujan, Argentina. ' Electron Microscopy Service, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum, National University of La Plata, Paseo del Bosque, (1900)-La Plata, Argentina. ' Applied Ecophysiology Program, Basic Sciences Department (PRODEA-INEDES), National University of Lujan, P.O. Box 221, (B6700ZBA)-Lujan, Argentina

Abstract: The aim of this work was to study the acute effects of short-term exposure (96 hours) to sub-lethal concentrations of copper (2 and 3 mg L⁻¹) on ecotoxicological stress biomarkers in the aquatic stages of Lithobates catesbeianus (syn. Rana catesbeiana) larvae. To this end, the effects of copper on brain acetylcholinesterase, liver and gill catalase and glutathione-S-transferase activities were examined. In addition, the changes in gill structure were monitored by scanning electron microscopy. Neither the survival nor the activity of the biomarker enzymes was affected by copper; however, the gills were affected, exhibiting alterations in the epithelial cells of the tufts. The results were interpreted as evidence that, at the concentrations assayed, there may be an acclimation of the tadpoles to copper; the anomalies observed in the epithelium of the gills may be compatible with the survival of the animals since at their developmental stage the skin plays an important role in the respiratory function.

Keywords: tadpoles; Lithobates catesbeianus (syn. Rana catesbeiana); sub-lethal copper; enzyme biomarkers; gills; scanning electron microscopy; brain acetylcholinesterase; liver catalase; glutathione-S-transferase; tissue protein content; short-term exposure; ecotoxicological stress biomarkers; gill structure; epithelial cells; respiratory function; skin.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2010.037499

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2010 Vol.4 No.4, pp.342 - 354

Published online: 14 Dec 2010 *

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