Abstract
One of the acknowledged limitations ofconventional toxicity tests is their inabilityto evaluate the impact of toxicants onsubsequent generations. Given their relativelyshort lifespan, cladocerans in the field may beexposed to toxicants for several generations.However, it is unclear what effect such anexposure regime could have on the cladoceranfitness after removal of the toxicant. Thispaper aimed to determine the offspring fitnessof juveniles produced by adult Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia exposed toresidual levels of 3,4-dichloroaniline overfour generations. Mass cultures of Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia were maintainedfor several generations in variousconcentrations of 3,4-dichoroaniline (0, 2.5,5, 10, 15 and 20 µg/L). The mass cultureswere re-established every generation using4th brood neonates 0.05) changes inreproduction due to 3,4-dichloroaniline wereobserved for the F2 and F3 offspring. However,F4 offspring of mothers exposed to all3,4-dichloroaniline concentrations showedsignificantly (p < 0.05) increasedreproduction compared to the controls. Possibleexplanations for the varying influence ofmaternal 3,4-dichloroaniline exposure on thereproductive output of the offspring arediscussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
