Methoxychlor alters hatching and larval startle response in the salamander Ambystoma macrodactylum

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 59; no. 5; pp. 815 - 821
• Main Authors: Ingermann, R.L. (University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.), Bencic, D.C, Eroschenko, V.P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer-Verlag 01-11-1997; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ambystoma macrodactylum; Ambystoma mexicanum - embryology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Caudata; ECLOSION; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates; Embryo, Nonmammalian - drug effects; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HATCHING; Insecticides - toxicity; Larva - drug effects; METHOXYCHLOR; Methoxychlor - toxicity; METHOXYCHLORE; METOXICLORO; Reptilia. Amphibia; SALAMANDERS; SALAMANDRA; SALAMANDRE; Vertebrata; Embryo; Insecticide; Larva; Hatching; Organochlorine compounds; Toxicity; Pesticides; Breeding success; Amphibia; Methoxychlor
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s001289900554

Eggs of salamander, Ambystoma macrodactylum, were exposed to methoxychlor at varying concentrations, and mortality and time-of-hatch were examined. In addition, post-hatch startle response of the larvae was evaluated. The experimental protocol is described. No mortality was observed at methoxychlor concentrations up to 10 mg/l, but concentrations at or above 0.1 mg/l promoted early hatching, which appeared to be due to precocial hatching rather than to accelerated development. Ten days post-hatch, embryos/larvae maintained in 0.3 mg methoxychlor/l or greater showed alterations in their startle response, but the condition was reversible after transfer to a clean environment.