Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
8-2017
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Joseph R. Bidwell
Committee Members
Thomas F. Laughlin, Rebecca A. Pyles
Abstract
Predator cues can influence how aquatic organisms respond to anthropogenic contaminants. This study examined the effects of predator cues on behavior, metabolic rate, and sulfate (as Na2SO4) toxicity in amphipods (Gammarus minus). Predator cues included alarm cue (macerated conspecifics) and kairomone from mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). Amphipods decreased activity and increased time in refuge when exposed to alarm cue, and increased time in refuge when exposed to kairomone. While median lethal concentrations (96-h LC50) were not influenced by predator cues, analysis of dose response curves indicated that kairomone exposure increased amphipod sensitivity to mid-range concentrations of sulfate (500-1,000 mg/L). Amphipods increased oxygen consumption in response to kairomone but not alarm cue. The influence of predator cues on contaminant lethality can be dependent on the type of cue, and physiological endpoints such as metabolic rate may help explain the basis of observed interactions.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Chapman, Trevor, "Enemy Exacerbation: Effects of Predator Stress on Sulfate Lethality in Freshwater Amphipods (Gammarus minus)" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3297. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3297
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Behavior and Ethology Commons, Biology Commons, Toxicology Commons