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Short‐term effects of Quirlan® (chlorfenvinphos) on the behavior and acetylcholinesterase activity of Gambusia holbrooki
Author(s) -
SismeiroVivas J.,
Abrantes N.,
Pereira J. L.,
Castro B. B.,
Gonçalves F.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
environmental toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1522-7278
pISSN - 1520-4081
DOI - 10.1002/tox.20256
Subject(s) - gambusia , acetylcholinesterase , aché , mosquitofish , toxicology , biology , zoology , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , biochemistry , enzyme , fishery
Chlorfenvinphos is a widespread organophosphorous (OP) insecticide and it is a reported hazardous chemical for aquatic nontarget organisms. This study intended to evaluate the effects of sublethal concentrations of Quirlan® (commercial formulation of chlorfenvinphos) on several behavioral parameters of the mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki . The insecticide showed high toxicity to G. holbrooki by significantly impairing all the behavioral responses (location in the test vessel, activity/excitability, swimming, and feeding), exhibiting a time‐dependent pattern. Behavioral EC50s, after a 96‐h exposure, ranged from 5.2 to 9.0 μg L −1 . As OP pesticides are acutely neurotoxic, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was also selected for use as a biomarker in this study for the establishment of a relationship with the observed behavior abnormalities. A strong inhibition of AChE was observed in fish exposed to chlorfenvinphos (IC50 = 3.55 μg L −1 ). Behavioral impairment was registered in fish with >40% AChE inhibition levels, while mortality was only observable in fish exhibiting AChE inhibition levels >80%. Additionally, significant correlations were found between behavioral impairment and AChE inhibition, suggesting a mechanistic link. These results show the usefulness of integrating biochemical and individual endpoints in a small‐sized model species, and confirm a potential hazard of chlorfenvinphos to nontarget aquatic organisms. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 194–202, 2007.