Abstract
<b>Ide embryos were incubated in 0.1 mg dm<sup>3</sup> of Cu or Cd or in clean tap water (control). Both metals significantly decreased swelling of eggs. They reduced the rate of embryonic development and the hatching rate. Six types of body malformations were found in newly hatched larvae: spine curvature, C-shaped body, head deformation, yolk sac deformation, heart oedema, and reduced body length. Only the first two types of deformations were observed in the control, while more severe malformations were found following Cu and Cd exposure. Copper exerted a detrimental effect mainly during embryogenesis (egg swelling and rate of development), while the toxic effects of cadmium were more significant in newly hatched larvae. Larval body deformities may be used as a bioindicator of water pollution with heavy metals.</b>
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