The effect of mercury on the feeding behavior of fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas)

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 187 - 198
• Main Authors: Grippo, M.A, Heath, A.G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01-06-2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase - metabolism; Agnatha and pisces; Agnatha. Pisces; Animal ethology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Body Burden; Brain Chemistry - drug effects; Cyprinidae - physiology; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on protozoa and invertebrates; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates; Fathead minnows; feeding behavior; Feeding Behavior - drug effects; Foraging behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Learning; Locomotion - physiology; Mercury; Mercury - metabolism; Mercury - toxicity; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism; Neurotransmitters; Pimephales promelas; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Vertebrata; Water Pollution - adverse effects; Learning; Neurotransmitters; Mercury; Foraging behavior; Fathead minnows; Feeding behavior; Feeding; Heavy metal; Freshwater environment; Vertebrata; Pisces; Neurotransmitter; Pimephales promelas; Cyprinidae; Biological effect; Pollutant effect
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/S0147-6513(02)00071-4

Fathead minnows (
Pimephales promelas) were exposed to mercury (1.69, 6.79, and 13. 57
μg/L HgCl
2, 10 days exposure), and afterward their foraging ability was tested in a vegetated habitat for 7 days. Among the foraging metrics used were foraging efficiency, capture speed, and the ability to learn and retain information regarding habitat characteristics. In addition to behavioral tests, muscle tissue acetylcholinesterase activity and brain levels of several neurotransmitters were investigated. Comparisons with control fish and fish from the two highest exposure groups revealed consistent performance deficits in foraging efficiency and capture speed. However, no treatment effects on learning were detected, nor were differences in neurotransmitter levels detected. In determining the underlying proximate cause of the foraging deficits, it is believed that the greater pause time exhibited by treatment fish while foraging was the main cause of treatment differences. In the future, behavioral studies will continue to allow toxicity testing of environmentally relevant variables such as those used by behavioral ecologists.