Cellular energy allocation in the estuarine mysid shrimp Neomysis integer (Crustacea: Mysidacea) following tributyltin exposure

Abstract

Recently, we described the cellular energy allocation (CEA) methodology to asses the effects of abiotic stress on the energy metabolism of the estuarine crustacean Neomysis integer (Crustacea: Mysidacea) [J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 279 (2002) 61]. This short-term assay is based on the biochemical assessment of changes in the energy reserves (total carbohydrate, protein and lipid content) and the energy consumption (electron transport activity), and has been shown to be predictive of effects at the population level in daphnids [J. Aquat. Ecosyst. Stress Recovery 6 (1997) 43]. In the present study, the CEA methodology was evaluated using adult N. integer exposed for 96 h to the antifoulant tributyltinchloride (TBTCl). From a range-finding experiment with juvenile N. integer, a 96-h LC50 of 164 ng TBTCl/l was calculated. The energy metabolism of N. integer, as summarized by the CEA, was significantly altered by TBTCl exposure. Mysids exposed to 10, 100 and 1000 ng TBTCl/l consumed less energy and had lower respiration rates (in 10 and 1000 ng TBTCl/l treatments) than the control, resulting in a lower CEA. These changes at the cellular level occurred at environmentally relevant concentrations of the toxicant TBTCl which were an order of magnitude lower than reported effect concentrations for scope for growth in other marine invertebrates.