Species Feeding Research Articles

Assembly of heterotrophic communities during spontaneous succession in quarries: invertebrates model groups and macromycetes

Quarrying has a crucial impact on the environment, but it could enhance species diversity. Mining sites represent important refuges for countless species disappearing from homogenous landscapes. Our study focused on assemblages of heterotrophic communities such as moths (Lepidoptera), carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), spiders (Araneae), and macromycetes (fungi: Basidiomycota, Ascomycota) in an active part of kaolin quarries and their immediate surroundings in the Pilsen region, Czech Republic. We compared differences between mined and unmined sites, sites with spontaneous succession and sites with replanted pine trees. In total, we recorded 178 moth, 63 spider, 27 carabid beetle, and 81 macromycetes species, including 21 Red‐listed species. The moths, carabid beetles, and macromycetes tended to inhabit unmined sites; on the contrary, open habitat spiders preferred open sites with replanted pine trees. Based on the life history traits analyses, moth species feeding on forbs and grasses prevail at the active part of kaolin quarries, where higher plant diversity was detected. Large body carabid beetles such as Carabus spp. favored unmined sites, as well as macromycetes with long‐lived fruit bodies. Open habitat and xerophilous spiders inhabited the replanted sites by pine trees where the sparse vegetation was obvious. Our results indicated that groups with radically different life histories such as moths, carabids, and macromycetes may react to mining remarkably similarly, although spiders, despite sharing predatory habits with the majority of carabids, reacted differently.

Hydraulic engineering of Drusinae larvae: head morphologies and their impact on surrounding flow fields

Body morphologies are significantly different amongst the members of the Drusinae subfamily. Aligned with such differences is the selective niche location chosen by many species from the subfamily. Typically, they live on the sediments of cold, well-oxygenated mountain streams from the Eurasian Region. However, each of the three evolutionary lineages (shredders, grazers and carnivorous filter feeders) inhabit different hydraulic locations according to their foraging behaviour. To investigate the relationship between the body morphology and the flow field near the body, we use Large Eddy Simulations to compute the flow past five different species of the subfamily. We selected species representing the three evolutionary lineages of the subfamily, Drusus alpinus Meyer-Dür 1875 from the shredders clade, D. bosnicus Klapálek 1899 and D. monticola McLachlan 1876 from the grazers clade and Cryptothrix nebulicola McLachlan 1867 and D. discolor (Rambur 1842) from the filter feeders clade. For the simulations, three-dimensional body shapes were reconstructed from X-ray micro CT data and exposed to a turbulent flow corresponding to water-depth and velocity data measured in the field. The total forces acting on each morphotype were found to be comparable. The lift coefficients computed and ranging from 0.07 to 0.17 are smaller than the drag coefficients which were found to range from 0.32 to 0.55. The local distribution of the skin-friction indicates flow-separation zones near the edges of the bodies, in particular, between the head and the pronotum, which are differently located according to each species. Moreover, we observe higher streamwise normal stresses upstream of the head of the filter feeder species. It is hypothesised that the upstream horseshoe vortex can lift up drifting food particles and transport these to the larvae’s filtering legs, thereby enhancing the encounter rates of particles with the filtering devices.

Optimization of artificial membrane feeding system for lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae), and experimental infection with Rickettsia amblyommatis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae).

With the introduction of siliconized artificial membranes, various artificial feeding systems (AFS) for hard ticks (Ixodidae) have been developed over the last decades. Most AFS utilize similar core components but employ diverse approaches, materials, and experimental conditions. Published work describes different combinations of the core components without experimental optimizations for the artificial feeding of different tick species. Amblyomma americanum L., (Acari: Ixodidae) (lone star tick) is a known vector and reservoir for diverse tick-borne pathogens, such as Rickettsia amblyommatis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Ongoing environmental changes have supported the expansion of A. americanum into new habitats, contributing to increased tick-borne diseases in endemic areas. However, a significant knowledge gap exists in understanding the underlying mechanisms involved in A. americanum interactions with tick-borne pathogens. Here, we performed a systematic analysis and developed an optimized AFS for nymphal lone star ticks. Our results demonstrate that Goldbeater's membranes, rabbit hair, hair extract, and adult lone star ticks significantly improved the attachment rate of nymphal ticks, whereas tick frass and frass extract did not. With the optimized conditions, we achieved an attachment rate of 46 ± 3% and a success rate of 100% (i.e., one or more attached ticks) in each feeding experiment for nymphal lone star ticks. When fed on sheep blood spiked with R. amblyommatis, both nymphal and adult lone star ticks acquired and maintained R. amblyommatis, demonstrating the feasibility of studying A. americanum-pathogen interactions using AFS. Our study can serve as a roadmap to optimize and improve AFS for other medically relevant tick species.

Microplastic burden in marine benthic invertebrates depends on species traits and feeding ecology within biogeographical provinces

The microplastic body burden of marine animals is often assumed to reflect levels of environmental contamination, yet variations in feeding ecology and regional trait expression could also affect a species’ risk of contaminant uptake. Here, we explore the global inventory of individual microplastic body burden for invertebrate species inhabiting marine sediments across 16 biogeographic provinces. We show that individual microplastic body burden in benthic invertebrates cannot be fully explained by absolute levels of microplastic contamination in the environment, because interspecific differences in behaviour and feeding ecology strongly determine microplastic uptake. Our analyses also indicate a degree of species-specific particle selectivity; likely associated with feeding biology. Highest microplastic burden occurs in the Yellow and Mediterranean Seas and, contrary to expectation, amongst omnivores, predators, and deposit feeders rather than suspension feeding species. Our findings highlight the inadequacy of microplastic uptake risk assessments based on inventories of environmental contamination alone, and the need to understand how species behaviour and trait expression covary with microplastic contamination.

Zooplankton of the Eastern Kara Sea: Response to a Short Ice-Free Period

—A characteristic feature of the eastern Kara Sea, which is separated from its central part by the shallow Central Kara Rise, is a later ice breakup, a shorter ice-free period, and lower water temperature. Zooplankton in this part of the sea is virtually unstudied. The first data on the composition, spatial distribution of zooplankton, age structure and feeding of the dominant species, and their grazing impact on phytoplankton were obtained in the cruise 125 of the R/V Professor Shtokman (September 2013) and cruise 63 of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh (September 2015) to the eastern Kara Sea. 2015 was a typical year in terms of the ice regime for this region, while in 2013, seasonal ice coverage lasted longer than usual. Zooplankton biomass (17–112 mg dry weight m–3), to which copepods Calanus glacialis contributed the main portion, were close to the values in the central Kara Sea in September. The seasonal development of the C. glacialis population began much later than in the central Kara Sea, but development of Metridia longa was not influenced by the specifics of the ice regime and hydrophysical conditions in the eastern Kara Sea. The interannual differences in the timing of ice retreat had almost no effect on the zooplankton abundance, seasonal development of the dominant copepod populations, feeding activity, and grazing impact on phytoplankton.

Evaluation of damage caused by stink bug Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas) and Euschistus heros (F.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) to the maize seedlings

Understanding of different damage potentials between insect species feeding on maize [Zea mays (L.)] is critical for elaborating control decision tools. There is a lack of information on the damage that the stink bug Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas) and Euschistus heros (F.) may cause to maize seedlings, especially under high densities. Therefore, we compared the damage of these species to maize in a greenhouse using four infestation levels (zero, two, four, and eight adults per plant), in a randomized complete block design with six replications. Five weekly evaluations were performed after infestation, and plants were harvested at physiological maturity. The results indicated that D. melacanthus caused more damage than E. heros in all infestation levels. Two adults of D. melacanthus per plant for 21 days resulted in the death of 96% of the plants. Euschistus heros caused four-times less damage to early-stage maize plants than D. melacanthus. Based on the regression analysis, the infestation of one E. heros adult per plant reduced the number of kernels per row and weight of harvested grain by 11%

Biological Aspects of Preferred Fish Species in White Volta at Pwalugu, Ghana: A pre-impoundment Study

The socio-economic benefits derived from impounding rivers are extremely important but the ecological imbalances that are usually created in the process can be devastating. It is therefore imperative to understand some aspects of the biology of fishes before the impoundment of a river. This study was conducted to assess the length-weight relationship, condition factor, feeding, and reproductive ecology of fish species with high local market value. Biometric measurements were obtained from monthly samples of fish at two sites. Specimens were transported to the laboratory for gut and gonad analyses. Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Marcussenius senegalensis and Heterobranchus bidorsalis were the most preferred fish species. All three fish species recorded ‘b’ values less than 3 which implies they exhibited a negative allometric growth. Their condition factors (K) indicated they were in good health since K values were greater than 1. A. occidentalis and H. bidorsalis demonstrated a feeding habit comparable to that of an omnivore, whilst M. senegalensis presented a feeding habit that implied it was an invertivore. M. senegalensis registered the uppermost mean gonado-somatic index (GSI) (2.14 ± 0.83) whereas the highest mean fecundity (495 ± 450.96) was noted in A. occidentalis. This study contributed bio-ecological baseline information about the ichthyofauna prior to the damming of the reservoir in the Pwalugu area of the White Volta.

The life history of Kallima inachus inachus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) on Strobilanthes clarkei for the first time from Vijaynagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India

The life cycle of Kallima inachus inachus (Doyère, [1840]) has been studied in detail from Vijaynagar, Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The larvae of this species feed on Strobilanthes clarkei belonging to the family Acanthaceae, which is being reported here as a new larval host plant of K. i. inachus from India. The eggs were laid singly beneath the surface of the host plant and occasionally near the larval host plant. The entire life history from the incubation period to the enclosing of the adult was completed in 55 to 57 days. During the present study, adult longevity was recorded as 9–12 days. The entire time span and the measurement of various life cycle stages have been discussed.

A Review of Nearctic Empria Lepeletier and Taxonus Hartig Species (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae: Allantinae) Feeding on Rosaceous Herbs and Shrubs with Two Species Newly Reported from Geum L.

A Review of Nearctic Empria Lepeletier and Taxonus Hartig Species (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae: Allantinae) Feeding on Rosaceous Herbs and Shrubs with Two Species Newly Reported from Geum L.

Survey of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Agents in Ixodes Ticks Carried by Wild Passerines during Postbreeding Migration through Italy

Recently, increasing attention has been posed on the role of migrating birds in the spread of ticks and indirectly of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). Despite, Italy is considered a bridge between continental Europe and North Africa and a necessary path to connect Mediterranean countries, few studies have been conducted on ticks collected from birds migrating through this country and associated TBPs. The aims of this research were to estimate the infestation burden and identify tick species feeding on migratory birds, and perform a molecular screening for TBPs. During autumn migration (2019–2020), birds were inspected for ticks in a ringing station located in north-east Italy. Ticks were identified and screened for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu, Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Neoehrlichia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Bartonella spp. Ixodes ticks (n = 209) were feeding on 2.6% of passerines (88/3411). Most of these (208/209) were Ixodes ricinus, except one Ixodes frontalis. Eight bird species were infested: common blackbird, redwing, brambling, song thrush, common chaffinch, European robin, water pipit, and coal tit. Rickettsiales showed a low prevalence, from 1.4% of Ehrlichia spp., 4.3% of A. phagocytophilum, up to 7.2% of Rickettsia spp.. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. had the highest prevalence, 54.6%, and several zoonotic genotypes were identified: B. garinii, B. valaisiana, B. afzeli, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, and B. miyamotoi. All specimens were negative for TBEV and Bartonella spp.. Although the tick burden was generally low, most of the vectors (>60%) were positive for at least one pathogen, highlighting the relevance of a continuous monitoring of migrating birds as potential sources of pathogen dispersal.

Spatiotemporal fishing effort simulations and restriction scenarios in Thermaikos Gulf, Greece (northeastern Mediterranean Sea)

Spatiotemporal simulation modeling is used in the context of ecosystem-based fisheries management to investigate different management options, including the size and allocation of marine protected and fisheries restricted areas. Here, we used ecospace to assess the effectiveness of existing and potential future spatiotemporal fishing restrictions in the heavily exploited Thermaikos Gulf, Greece for the years 2000–2025 (calibration period 2000–2016; projection period 2017–2025). ecospace combines temporal biomass and commercial catch data with spatial habitat and other environmental data, as well as species ecological preferences, feeding, and dispersal rates to depict changes in trophic interactions, biomasses, and commercial catches in time and space. ecospace simulations supported the empirical data demonstrating that fisheries restricted areas are effective tools for rebuilding the biomass of exploited stocks, with their size and location playing a significant role in the way that different organisms respond to protection. Nevertheless, our results suggested that in order to achieve the highest benefits of protection, fisheries restricted areas would need to be accompanied by a parallel reduction in total fishing effort, rather than a redistribution of fishing activities. Such redistribution would just move the pressure on the boundaries of protected areas, causing a local increase of commercial catches owing to the beneficial spillover effects of protection. One of the tested spatiotemporal restriction scenarios (MPA 5) suggests certain additional management measures on top of the existing restrictions for all four fishing fleets operating in the area. This scenario predicted a considerable increase in the biomass of key commercial and vulnerable species groups, including hake, flatfishes, anglerfish, sharks, and rays and skates, by the end of the simulation period in 2025.

Functional Response and Intraspecific Competition of Three Ladybird Species Feeding on Aphids on Goji Berry Plants in Laboratory and Semi-Field Conditions.

The aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is identified as a significant pest that causes severe damage to goji berries in China. To analyze the ladybird consumption of aphids, the functional responses of three ladybird species, Harmonia axyridis, Coccinella septempunctata, and Hippodamia variegata, and intraspecific competition among ladybird individuals were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Moreover, the practical impact of ladybirds on aphid population reduction was investigated in semi-field conditions. We found that all adult ladybirds of the three species exhibited a type II functional response toward aphids. According to Holling's disc equation, H. axyridis exhibited the highest searching efficiency (a = 0.79), while C. septempunctata had the shortest handling time (Th = 5.07 min) among the three ladybird species studied. Additionally, intraspecific competition had a greater impact on H. variegata (m = 0.41) compared to the other two ladybird species. The semi-field study demonstrated that H. axyridis (83.9% reduction) and C. septempunctata (78.7% reduction) exhibited higher efficacy in reducing aphid populations compared to H. variegata (27.3% reduction). This study suggests that H. axyridis and C. septempunctata exhibit potential as effective biological control agents against aphids on goji berry plants and highlights the importance of considering intraspecific competition. However, the results obtained from laboratory and semi-field studies cannot be directly extrapolated to field conditions due to the simplification of these experimental systems. Future field studies are crucial in ensuring the effective implementation of a biological control program.

Feeding and reproductive parameters of adult female Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) and Amblyomma americanum parasitizing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann) (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) are the main host for adult Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) (blacklegged tick) and all stages of Amblyomma americanum Linnaeus (Acari: Ixodidae) (lone star tick). However, literature describing the feeding and reproductive parameters of these tick species when feeding on this host is limited. We experimentally infested white-tailed deer with adult pairs of either I. scapularis or A. americanum to improve our understanding of these tick-host relationships. Our study used tick-naïve white-tailed deer and restricted host grooming throughout the infestation. For I. scapularis, the days to repletion (mean ± SE, 6.04 ± 0.07), engorgement weight of replete females (0.20 ± 0.0032 g), duration of oviposition (32 ± 0.45 d), egg mass weight (0.10 ± 0.0027 g), and number of eggs laid per tick (1,803.00 ± 49.00) were recorded. Data from A. americanum were also recorded, including days to repletion (11.00 ± 0.063), engorgement weight of replete females (0.63 ± 0.025 g), duration of oviposition (37.00 ± 1.30 d), egg mass weight (0.34 ± 0.017 g), and number of eggs laid per tick (5,873.00 ± 291.00). These biological parameter data could be used as variables in models (e.g., LYMESIM 2.0) to determine how white-tailed deer influence I. scapularis and A. americanum populations in nature, and to evaluate the protective efficacy of tick-antigen-based antitick vaccines.

The feeding apparatus of ants: an overview of structure and function.

Ants are a dominant family of eusocial terrestrial insects with a diversity of ecologies, lifestyles and morphologies. Ant diet preferences range from strict carnivory through omnivory to almost complete herbivory in species feeding on seeds or exudates of plant-sucking insects. While several studies have investigated ant feeding performance on different substrates, comparatively little is known about the functional morphology of the structures involved in food uptake or their diversification across the ants. To take stock of our current knowledge, we give an overview of how adult ants ingest food, followed by a morphological description of the mouthparts, preoral space and cephalic sucking pump. The mandibles are the most prominent mouthparts and have received considerable attention in the literature, so we focus on the maxillae and labium here. We present current hypotheses for the movement patterns of these parts and discuss morphological differences among ants that may be related to their ecological diversity. Finally, we give short comparisons of the ant condition with some other insects and vertebrates, as well as an outlook summarizing gaps in our knowledge. This sets the stage for future studies elucidating the connections between ant feeding mechanisms and mouthpart evolution. This article is part of the theme issue 'Food processing and nutritional assimilation in animals'.

Aedes albopictus salivary adenosine deaminase is an immunomodulatory factor facilitating dengue virus replication

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is an important vector for the transmission of arboviruses such as dengue virus (DENV). Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a well-characterized metabolic enzyme involved in facilitating blood feeding and (or) arbovirus transmission in some hematophagous insect species. We previously reported the immunologic function of ADA by investigating its effect on mast cell activation and the interaction with mast cell tryptase and chymase. The 2-D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry analysis in the current study revealed that ADA is present and upregulated following mosquito blood feeding, as confirmed by qRT-PCR and western blot. In addition, the recombinant ADA efficiently converted adenosine to inosine. Challenging the Raw264.7 and THP-1 cells with recombinant ADA resulted in the upregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL2, IFN-β, and ISG15. The current study further identified recombinant ADA as a positive regulator in NF-κB signaling targeting TAK1. It was also found that recombinant Ae. albopictus ADA facilitates the replication of DENV-2. Compared with cells infected by DENV-2 alone, the co-incubation of recombinant ADA with DENV-2 substantially increased IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL2 gene transcripts in Raw264.7 and THP-1 cells. However, the expression of IFN-β and ISG15 were markedly downregulated in Raw264.7 cells but upregulated in THP-1 cells. These findings suggest that the immunomodulatory protein, Ae. albopictus ADA is involved in mosquito blood feeding and may modulate DENV transmission via macrophage or monocyte-driven immune response.

Human-facilitated feeding on Date Palm Phoenix dactylifera sap by trans-Saharan warblers during spring stopover in a Tunisian oasis

ABSTRACT Capsule Some trans-Saharan warbler species feed on human-extracted Date Palm Phoenix dactylifera sap during spring migratory stopover. Aims To investigate the behaviour of birds feeding on Date Palm sap at a Tunisian oasis during the spring migration season. Methods Birds feeding on Date Palm sap were monitored during the peak of spring migratory passage of trans-Saharan birds in southern Tunisia by recording the species involved and their numbers, and noting whether there were agonistic interactions between them. Data were used to describe the assemblages of birds feeding on Date Palm sap. Results We recorded five trans-Saharan warbler species feeding on Date Palm sap, either in single- or mixed-species flocks. Aggressive conflicts were common, suggesting competition by interference within this bird assemblage. However, other abundant fruit-eating trans-Saharan warbler species were never seen feeding on Date Palm sap, possibly due to the potential inability to assimilate some of its components, or simply because they did not need to ingest it for reasons related to their migration strategy. Conclusions Our findings reveal that Date Palm sap is a food resource for some trans-Saharan warbler species, highlighting a rarely documented human-facilitated feeding behaviour in birds. They also underline the high ecological plasticity of these warbler species, capable of using different food resources to meet the needs of their challenging migratory journey.

Grazing inhibition in Daphnia and Bosmina by colony formation of Desmodesmus subspicatus triggered by sodium octyl sulfate.

There are growing concerns that several aquatic contaminants can indirectly alter biological interactions by inhibiting the adaptive phenotypic plasticity of organisms, even at nonlethal concentrations. In Scenedesmaceae, a family of green algae, many chemicals interfere with defensive colony formation against grazers (i.e., through induced or limited coloniality). Although several studies have demonstrated that the effects of coloniality can limit the feeding capacity of Daphnia spp., grazing inhibition in other zooplankton species is not well understood. In this study, we examined the influence of sodium octyl sulfate (SOS) on the growth and morphology of Desmodesmus subspicatus and on the feeding rates of three cladoceran species (Daphnia galeata, Bosmina longirostris, and Bosmina fatalis) feeding on SOS-induced colonies under factorial conditions of different food levels and grazer ages. SOS remarkably induced colony formation with no observed effect on growth in D. subspicatus. D. galeata and B. fatalis showed a remarkable reduction in feeding rates when they fed on colonial D. subspicatus, whereas no significant effect of the prey morphotype was found on the feeding rates of B. longirostris. Microscopic observations of algal morphology after being grazed showed that each species can consume colonial prey depending on food level and age. Comparisons of the inhibition ratio of feeding among the three cladocerans revealed that Daphnia was more sensitive to prey coloniality compared with Bosmina. Our findings provide specific insights into the effects of chemically interfered colony formation on population dynamics and community structures.

Description of immature stages of Cephitinea colonella (Erschoff, 1874) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae: Myrmecozelinae)

Cephitinea colonella (Erschoff, 1874) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae: Myrmecozelinae) is known as a pest of stored products. However, detailed information on its life history is poor. In the present investigation, larvae of this species feeding on the rice bran were found in a rice mill. In order to make possible the correct identification of the immature stages of C.colonella, their morphology is described and illustrated. In addition, the larval character of the genus is morphologically discussed comparing from allied species.

Preliminary Study of Insect Pests on Carthamus tinctorius L. and their Associated Natural Enemies along the Syrian Coast

Arab, A., A. Y. Ali, M. Zeity, M. Saleh, O. Salman, L. El-Dahhak, R. Darwish and J. Ammar. 2023. Preliminary Study of Insect Pests on Carthamus tinctorius L. and their Associated Natural Enemies along the Syrian Coast. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(3): 258-265. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-41.3.258265 The study was conducted on safflower fields at both Al-Sanoubar (Latakia) and Jamasa (Tartous) Research Stations during 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons. It aimed to identify insect pests and associated natural enemies on the safflower. Results obtained identified 28 insect pest species feeding on different parts of safflower, ten species of sucking insects (Uroleucon sp., Brachycaudus sp., Mzyus persica, Aphis fabae, Lygus sp., Oxycarenus sp., Dionconotus neglectus, Carpocoris mediterraneus, Eurydema ornata and Thrips tabaci), eight lepidopteran species, six species of beetles and four dipteran species (one species of Agromyzidae and three species of Tephritidae). The incidence of fruit flies at Al-Sanoubar station was 49% in the 2019 season. Seven species of predator insects were identified: Coccinella septempunctata, Cheilomenes sp., Hippodamia variegate, Scymnus syriacus, Orius sp., Chrysoperla carnea and Syrphus sp. Three hymenoptera species of parasitoids Bracon spp. and Apanteles sp. were also recorded. Keywords: Safflower, insect pests, natural enemies, Syria

Towards a better consideration of endocrine disruption within the technical guidance for deriving environmental quality standards

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a reason for growing concern because of their substantial and long-lasting deleterious effects on human health and wildlife populations. These include direct effects on aquatic organisms and may be a concern to species feeding on the aquatic food chains and water, including humans. In the European Community, the dedicated legislative tools to protect the aquatic environment and human health from contaminants released to surface waters is the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The achievement of protection goals is assessed through the comparison of concentrations measured in the media and thresholds of no effect called Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs). As EDCs are explicitly mentioned in the WFD, an analysis of the state of the art was undertaken on how far and how consistently ED properties were considered in the derivation of EQS values. Our results reveal substantial heterogeneity according to substance and that among substances with ED evidences, EQSs have been derived without considering ED properties for 70% of them. A methodology to better consider endocrine disrupting properties is proposed and includes a logical and systematic approach to derive EQSs with a proposal to specify additional assessment factors based on the specific hazard and potential uncertainty.