涕灭威及其有毒代谢产物对DNA潜在损伤研究

采用生物遗传监测系统,研究了涕灭威及其两个有毒代谢产物(涕灭威亚砜,涕灭威砜)对蚕豆及大蒜根尖细胞微核率的影响,以及对小牛胸腺DNA的加合作用．结果表明,两种植物根尖细胞微核试验测得的高浓度剂量诱导的微核率与对照组相比有显著性差异(p<0．05),说明涕灭威、涕灭威亚砜及涕灭威砜可能对蚕豆及大蒜根尖细胞有致突变性．并且配对资料差异的显著性检验表明,蚕豆根尖微核试验的敏感性明显高于大蒜根尖微核试验的敏感性．涕灭威及其两个有毒代谢产物与小牛胸腺DNA结合引起吸收光谱波峰的移位,而且存在着剂量关系,说明涕灭威、涕灭威亚砜及涕灭威砜可能对小牛胸腺DNA造成加合作用．     

涕灭威在土壤中的降解特性

用实验室模拟培养方法研究了土壤中涕灭威及其代谢物在不同条件下的降解规律，探讨了影响降解的主要因素。结果表明，温度和土壤微生物活性是影响降解的重要因素，温度升高、有机质含量增加均大大加快涕灭威残留物降解。２５℃时，涕灭威在不同类型表层土壤中Ｔ＿（０．５）为３～８ｄ，其残留物总量的Ｔ＿（０．５）为３０～６５ｄ．在温度低、徽生物活性小的深层土壤中涕灭威Ｔ＿（０．５）为３４～１２０ｄ，残留物总量的Ｔ＿（０．５）为１５９～６８６ｄ，其中亚矾较难降解。     

有机磷及氨基甲酸酯类农药单独和联合作用对PC_(12)细胞DNA损伤的影响

研究有机磷类农药毒死蜱和对硫磷、氨基甲酸酯类农药克百威和残杀威单独及联合染毒大鼠嗜铬细胞瘤株(PC12细胞)所致的DNA损伤情况及联合作用模式。分别以0μmol·L~(-1)、50μmol·L~(-1)、100μmol·L~(-1)、200μmol·L~(-1)、400μmol·L~(-1)的有机磷农药毒死蜱、对硫磷与0μmol·L~(-1)、25μmol·L~(-1)、50μmol·L~(-1)、100μmol·L~(-1)、200μmol·L~(-1)的氨基甲酸酯类农药克百威、残杀威单独及两两联合染毒PC12细胞12 h后进行彗星实验,采用彗尾长度、尾部DNA百分含量、尾矩3个指标来衡量DNA损伤程度。结果表明:毒死蜱、克百威、对硫磷、残杀威染毒PC12细胞12 h后,细胞出现拖尾,呈现典型的彗星图像。染毒后PC12细胞彗尾长度、尾部DNA百分含量、尾矩较对照组显著增加,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。析因分析表明,无论低剂量联合还是高剂量联合,毒死蜱与克百威、对硫磷与残杀威均有交互作用(P0.01),作用模式为协同作用。以上结果提示,有机磷及氨基甲酸酯类农药单独及联合作用均可引起PC12细胞DNA损伤,联合作用后损伤程度要高于单独作用,且低剂量和高剂量联合时均存在交互作用,作用模式为协同作用。     

Evaluation of the larvicidal efficacy of extracts from three plants and their synergistic action with propoxur against larvae of the filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Say)

Petroleum ether extracts of Piper longum, Curcuma aromatica, and Ocimum basilicum were tested for their larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus, a filarial vector using WHO standard procedures. Among the three plants, extract of P. longum was found to be highly effective with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ being 0.89 and 1.49 ppm, respectively. C. aromatica also showed significant larvicidal activity with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ being 11.41 and 17.36 ppm, respectively. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ for O. baslicum were 76.67 and 200.56 ppm, respectively. Propoxur, a carbamate was also studied for its larvicidal activity, which showed LC₅₀ to be 0.09 ppm and LC₉₀ to be 0.16 ppm. Synergistic studies of all three plant extracts with propoxur revealed P. longum as a more efficient synergist with synergistic factor (SF) of 4.13 for LC₅₀ value and 1.68 for LC₉₀. Both C. aromatica and O. basilicum exhibited antagonistic activity at their respective LC₉₀ values with propoxur. At 1 : 1 ratio of the phytoextracts and propoxur, P. longum and C. aromatica showed synergism whereas O. basilicum displayed additive effect. Thus, P. longum was found to be a better larvicidal and synergistic agent at all tested ratios. Evidence indicates that mixed formulations of phytoextracts with insecticides might reduce the concentration of the chemicals to be applied for vector control.     

涕灭威及其复合物对茎线虫DNA的影响

选择了一种毒性很高的氨基甲酸酯农药涕灭威、一种最常见的阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)及一种土壤中普遍存在的天然物质腐殖酸,组成两种复合污染体系;研究了它们对茎线虫的生态毒理效应和对DNA的影响.结果发现,涕灭威-SDBS复合体系在4 d内对茎线虫的DNA造成了明显的损伤,而涕灭威-SDBS-腐殖酸复合体系在8 d内对茎线虫DNA造成的损伤却远远低于未加入腐殖酸的复合体系.关于涕灭威及其复合污染物对茎线虫的生态毒理效应和对DNA损伤的研究尚未见文献报道.     

Microbial degradation of two carbamate insecticides and their main metabolites in soil

Degradation studies in soil of the insecticides aldicarb and carbofuran and their metabolites (aldicarb sulfoxide, aldicarb sulfone; 3-ketocarbofuran and 3-hydroxycarbofuran) were carried out using laboratory systems under controlled conditions (temperature, water content, light). The insecticides were added to soil samples and subsamples of the soil were analyzed at different times to assess both the bacterial abundance and the concentration of the different chemicals. The epifluorescence direct count method was applied to the subsamples to estimate microorganism numbers (N/g soil). Untreated samples of soil were used as controls for evaluating the effects of the application of the insecticides on microbial abundance. Subsamples treated with the pesticides were analyzed using HPLC and the DT 50 s of the different compounds studied were calculated. The DT 50 values show that neither the parent compounds nor the transformation products have a high persistence in soil and there is a general increase in the concentration of microorganisms as the pesticides diminish.     

MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF TWO CARBAMATE INSECTICIDES AND THEIR MAIN METABOLITES IN SOIL

Degradation studies in soil of the insecticides aldicarb and carbofuran and their metabolites (aldicarb sulfoxide, aldicarb sulfone; 3-ketocarbofuran and 3-hydroxycarbofuran) were carried out using laboratory systems under controlled conditions (temperature, water content, light). The insecticides were added to soil samples and subsamples of the soil were analyzed at different times to assess both the bacterial abundance and the concentration of the different chemicals. The epifluorescence direct count method was applied to the subsamples to estimate microorganism numbers (N/g soil). Untreated samples of soil were used as controls for evaluating the effects of the application of the insecticides on microbial abundance. Subsamples treated with the pesticides were analyzed using HPLC and the DT 50 s of the different compounds studied were calculated.

The DT 50 values show that neither the parent compounds nor the transformation products have a high persistence in soil and there is a general increase in the concentration of microorganisms as the pesticides diminish.     

Cytotoxicity of benalaxyl,metalaxyl, and triadimefon on Chinese hamster ovary cells

The cytotoxicity of the fungicides benalaxyl, metalaxyl, and triadimefon was evaluated in vitro using the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cell line. The midpoint cytotoxicity values of neutral red (NR) incorporation (NRI₅₀), total cellular protein content (TCP₅₀), and the methyl tetrazolium assay (MTT₅₀) were estimated. Benalaxyl was the most cytotoxic fungicide, followed by metalaxyl and triadimefon. Fetal calf serum (10%) caused a reduction in benalaxyl, metalaxyl, and triadimefon cytotoxicity by factors of 1.8, 1.3, and 1.3. The effects of sublethal concentrations (NRI₂₅) of the three fungicides on the glutathione redox cycle components glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and total glutathione content were studied. The ameliorative effects of extracellular glutathione (1 mmol L^?1), vitamin C (70 µmol L^?1), and vitamin E (30 µmol L^?1) were also investigated. The three antioxidants led to significant effects on the glutathione redox cycle components.     

氨基甲酸酯类农药对蛋白核小球藻联合毒性作用特点及机制

氨基甲酸酯类农药广泛应用于农业生产中,其在环境中的残留及其对非靶标生物的毒性作用引起关注。以5种氨基甲酸酯类农药包括残杀威、灭多威、抗蚜威、涕灭威和呋喃丹为研究对象,以蛋白核小球藻为受试生物,应用微板毒性分析法系统测定每种农药及其五元混合物对蛋白核小球藻在不同暴露时间(12、24、48、72和96 h)的生长抑制作用,并同步分析农药对蛋白核小球藻的生理特性如叶绿素含量、蛋白质含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和脂质过氧化物丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响。结果表明,5种农药对蛋白核小球藻的浓度-效应均具有明显的时间依赖性,农药抗蚜威在中低浓度促进绿藻生长,呈现非单调J型浓度-效应曲线(CRC)特征,其余4种农药的CRC呈现经典S型;以半数效应浓度的负对数(p EC50)为毒性大小指标,5种农药在96 h时毒性大小为:呋喃丹(p EC50=3.43)残杀威(p EC50=2.76)抗蚜威(p EC50=2.12)灭多威(p EC50=2.11)涕灭威(p EC50=1.89)。浓度为EC50的5种农药处理后的蛋白核小球藻中叶绿素和蛋白质含量随暴露时间的延长而减少,但不同农药处理的绿藻中叶绿素和蛋白质含量减少率随暴露时间延长变化趋势稍有不同; SOD酶活性随着暴露时间延长逐渐下降,MDA含量逐渐增加,这说明藻细胞受到破坏,脂质过氧化的损害程度超过细胞修复能力,SOD活性被抑制,细胞的抗氧化能力下降,藻细胞内的H2O2不断积累,导致MDA含量升高。五元混合物对蛋白核小球藻的毒性也具有一定的时间依赖性,并表现出刺激作用,即hormesis现象,且混合物毒性与组分浓度比具有良好的线性相关性;暴露于混合物的小球藻均在96 h出现了刺激效应,其叶绿素与蛋白质含量随暴露时间延长不断增加,SOD活性不断升高,MDA含量不断减少;五元混合物均在96 h呈现出拮抗作用,且与混合物的浓度和组分浓度比相关。     

Antibacterial,antiviral and antioxidant activities of aerial part extracts of Peganum harmala L. grown in Tunisia

Ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol, and methanol extracts from the aerial part of Peganum harmala were tested for antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral activities. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the solid medium technique. Oxacillin, amoxicillin, ticarcillin, cefotaxim, and amphotericin were used as control agents. The antiviral activity was evaluated against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strain AD-169 (ATCC Ref. VR 538) and Coxsackie B virus type 3 (CoxB-3) using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using two tests: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging and ammonium thiocyanate methods. Among tested extracts; the chloroform extract displayed a higher antibacterial activity against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria. The butanol extract demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. The methanol extract showed significant antiviral activity against CoxB-3 virus. The chloroform extract may be an important source of bactericidal compounds against Gram-positive bacteria.     

五元氨基甲酸酯类农药混合物体系对青海弧菌的毒性特点

以5种氨基甲酸酯类农药涕灭威(ALD)、残杀威(BAY)、呋喃丹(CAR)、灭多威(MET)和抗蚜威(PIR)为研究对象,应用均匀设计射线法设计五元混合物体系共6条射线(U1,U2,…,U6),应用基于发光菌青海弧菌Q67的微板毒性分析法(MTA)系统地考察了5种农药及其混合物的毒性,以浓度加和(CA)为参考模型分析混合物毒性相互作用(协同或拮抗作用)。结果表明,Logti和Weibull函数能较好地拟合5种氨基甲酸酯农药及其混合物对发光菌Q67的浓度-效应数据(R20.99,RMSE0.032);以EC50的负对数值pEC50为毒性指标,5种农药的毒性顺序为BAY(pEC50=2.87)CAR(pEC50=2.67)ALD(pEC50=2.00)MET(pEC50=1.99)PIR(pEC50=1.79);依据CA,五元氨基甲酸酯类农药的6条混合物射线中,有2条呈加和作用,4条呈拮抗作用,其中U2和U4在整条浓度-效应曲线上呈现了明显的拮抗作用,而U3和U6的弱拮抗作用分别发生在混合物浓度的中高浓度区和中低浓度区;五元氨基甲酸酯类农药混合物的毒性与组分灭多威(MET)的浓度比呈良好的负相关关系(r=-0.9238),且线性模型对混合物毒性具有良好的预测能力。     

Uptake and toxicity of some pesticides on three freshwater fishes (Oreochromis niloticus,Clarias gariepinus and Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus)

Studies were carried out to determine the toxicity of some selected pesticides on fresh water fish in a tropical environment. The uptake of the pesticides lindane, pentachlorophenol (PCP), and propoxur, which are frequently used by farmers and industrialists were studied in concrete ponds at the University of Cape Coast, in Ghana. The fishes used for the study were Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus, and Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus, and were obtained from cultured ponds in the Cape Coast District and Mankessim in the Central Region and Weija Dam, in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Single high lethal concentration (SD) or acute treatment and cumulative/chronic (or multiple minor) lethal concentration (CD) treatment were employed in administering the pesticides to the fishes via water. Gas chromatograph (GC) Electron Capture Detector (ECD) analysis was done on the dead fishes to see the extent of ingestion. The LC₅₀ values obtained for lindane on the three fish samples were as follows: Chrysicthys?–?0.38?mg?L^?1; Oreochromis?–?0.42?mg?L^?1, and Clarias?–?1.2?mg?L^?1. Mortalities occurred in fish within 3–5 days of application. For the PCP on Chrysicthys, Oreochromis, and Clarias species the LC₅₀ values were 0.42, 0.32 and 0.64?mg?L^?1, respectively for over a 2–3 day period. For a three-time influx period of propoxur the LC₅₀ for Chrysicthys, Oreochromis, and Clarias, were 22.0, 30.40, and 45.04 (all in mg?L^?1), respectively. The results obtained indicated that the pesticides had adverse effects on the general growth and reproduction of fishes. Gonadosomatic indices also showed that the pesticides affected the development of the body, the gonads, and their reproduction.     

Cadmium and nickel determinations in some food and water samples by the combination of carrier element-free coprecipitation and flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A procedure for separation and enrichment of Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions based upon carrier element-free coprecipitation by using an organic coprecipitant, 2-{4-[2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)ethyl]-3-(4-methylbenzyl)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl}-N′-(3-fluoro-phenylmethyliden) acetohydrazide, prior to their flame atomic absorption spectrometric detections has been developed. The effects of varied experimental conditions on the performance of the developed method such as pH, sample volume, amount of coprecipitating agent, etc. were evaluated in detail on the recovery of analyte ions, and the influences of some anions and cations were investigated. The limits of detection for Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions based on three times the standard deviation of the blanks (N: 10) were obtained as 0.70 μg L^?1 and 1.21 μg L^?1, respectively. The accuracy of the method was tested by analyzing a certified reference material and by spike tests. The method was applied to determine the levels of cadmium and nickel in stream and sea water, rice, red lentil, and wheat samples.     

Resting egg formation and hatching of the S-type rotifer Brachionus plicatilis at varying salinities

Several live specimens of the blue-ringed octopus Octopus maculosus were collected from the Philippines in November 1985, and from Japan in February 1986, and the distribution of toxicity, along with toxin composition, in the posterior salivary gland and other soft parts were examined. Tetrodotoxin (TTX: 1400 mouse units g^-1) was detected in the posterior salivary gland of a Japanese specimen, while not only the salivary gland but other soft parts were toxic in the Philippine specimens. The Philippine specimens contained TTX and anhydrotetrodotoxin, the Japanese specimen TTX, 4-epitetrodotoxin, and an unknown toxin. The posterior salivary gland, intestine and other parts were excised from the Philippine specimens and examined for bacterial flora. Twenty-two dominant strains were isolated and cultured in a 2xORI medium (Ocean Research Institute, Simidu and Tsukamoto 1985) at 20°C for 20 to 48 h. Cells were harvested by centrifugation, and disrupted by ultrasonication. The toxins were partially purified from the cell lyzate by ultrafiltration and Bio-Gel P-2 column-chromatography. Instrumental analyses disclosed that 16 of the 22 strains produced TTX and/or related substances. Six strains which clearly exhibited TTX productivity were identified as Alteromonas (2 strains), Bacillus (2), Pseudomonas (1) and Vibrio (1), based on biochemical and biological characteristics. Of these, one strain each of Bacillus and Pseudomonas produced TTX at a level detectable by the mouse assay.     

Acute toxicity I: effect of profenofos and triazophos (organophosphates) and carbofuran and carbaryl (carbamates) to Labeo rohita

Profenofos and trizaophos (organophosphates) carbofuran and carbaryl (carbamates) are among the major toxicants polluting freshwater bodies, as well as exerting a significant effect on the health of fish. In this study, the 96 h LC₅₀ of the most commonly used organophosphates and carbamates was determined in one of the indigenous fish species, Labeo rohita fingerlings. Pesticides were applied to fingerlings that had been grown under optimized standard conditions under a maintained static bioassay system. Probit analysis was used for the determination of LC₅₀ values, which were ascertained as 6.64, 0.32, 1.4, and 8.24 mg/L for triazophos, profenofos, carbofuran, and carbaryl, respectively. Acute toxic stress was noted with fish exhibiting behavioral toxicity including suffocation, lying on the bottom, erratic swimming, lethargy and downward movements, and gulping prior to mortality.     

运动及不同浓度PM2.5滴注对大鼠糖代谢部分酶活性的影响

为了探讨一次性递增负荷运动及不同浓度细颗粒物(PM2.5)暴露对大鼠己糖激酶(hexokinase,HK)-丙酮酸激酶(pyruvatekinase,PK)及异柠檬酸脱氢酶(isocitratedehydrogenase,IDH)活性影响的机制,将30只雄性Wistar SPF(Specific Pathogen Free,SPF)大鼠随机分为安静(QC)、运动对照组(EC)、低剂量PM2.5+运动组(LPE)、中剂量PM2.5+运动组(MPE)、高剂量PM2.5+运动组(HPE),采用一次性气管滴注染毒后进行递增负荷跑台训练,并通过酶联免疫法(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)测定大鼠血清及肝脏组织HK,PK,IDH活性。结果表明,与安静组相比,运动对照组HK,PK酶活性下降,IDH活性升高,差异有统计学意义(p0.01)。和EC组相比,LPE,MPE,HPE组各组织中HK,PK,IDH活性均下降,差异有统计学意义(p0.05或p0.01)。实验表明,运动可以降低大鼠的HK,PK活性而增强IDH活性;随着浓度的增加,HK,PK,IDH活性与PM2.5暴露剂量具有相关性降低。     

BDE-47对人胚肾细胞HEK293的毒理效应及作用机制

2,2’,4,4’-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)是生物体中含量最高且毒性最强的PBDEs之一,有关BDE-47对肾细胞的毒性及其作用机制的研究仍有待补充。选取3个剂量组(低:10-6mol·L-1、中:10-5mol·L-1、高:10-4mol·L-1)及溶剂对照组,研究了BDE-47对人胚肾细胞(HEK293)的细胞凋亡率及活性氧(ROS)水平的影响;并从分子水平对细胞氧化损伤、凋亡相关蛋白(APE1及p53)及凋亡相关基因m RNA(p53、Bax、Caspase 3、Caspase 8)的表达量进行测定。实验结果显示:与对照组相比,中、高剂量组细胞凋亡率显著增加(P0.05);ROS水平在中剂量组显著上升(P0.01);随BDE-47浓度的变化,APE1蛋白表达量与细胞ROS水平存在一致性;p53、Bax、Caspase 8 m RNA表达量与BDE-47的浓度间存在剂量-效应关系。结果表明,BDE-47可诱导HEK293细胞凋亡及氧化应激,APE1可能是细胞ROS升高与细胞凋亡间重要的中介因子;BDE-47可以通过影响Caspase 8及线粒体途径中p53及Bax的表达诱导细胞凋亡。     

Cu和Pb对赤潮异弯藻(Heterosigma akashiwo)生长的影响

以添加了不同浓度的CuSO_4和Pb(NO_3)_2混合液的f/2培养基培养赤潮异弯藻,通过分析藻的最大生长密度、生长周期及比生长率这3个参数与Cu和Pb之间的相关关系,讨论2种重金属对赤潮异弯藻生长的影响以及2种重金属之间的互作效应。结果表明,Cu为0～0.02 mg·L~(-1)或Pb为0～0.32 mg·L~(-1)时,对赤潮异弯藻生长有促进作用;当Pb浓度不同的条件下,Cu浓度达到0.5～2.5 mg·L~(-1)时,赤潮异弯藻生长受到明显抑制,甚至无法生长;在Cu浓度不同的条件下,Pb在1～9 mg·L~(-1)范围内,随着浓度的增加,对赤潮异弯藻生长抑制作用逐步增强。在Cu浓度为0～2.5 mg·L~(-1)或Pb浓度为1～9 mg·L~(-1)及两者互作条件下,赤潮异弯藻最大生长密度和生长周期都受到显著影响(P0.01)。另外,Cu和Pb对赤潮异弯藻比生长率无显著影响,两者相互作用不明显。结合湛江海域已报道的这2种重金属实际含量,进一步评估了海区中重金属的潜在生态效应。     

Electrophysiological and behavioural responses of Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to tomato plant volatiles

Flight responses of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi to tomato volatiles have recently demonstrated that different plant stresses can lead to increases in attractiveness for this parasitoid. For example, infestation of tomato plants by the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae results in the overexpression of defensive genes, as well as the release of volatile compounds that attract aphid parasitoids. Here, we determine which of the induced compounds elicit a significant electrophysiological response from parasitoid antennae. Compounds shown to be detected at the antennal level were then tested at a range of doses in a wind tunnel assay. A significant electroantennogram response was demonstrated for three compounds, (8S,9R)-(E)-caryophyllene, methyl salicylate, and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, over four concentrations. These compounds proved to be significantly attractive in the wind tunnel at a rate not always proportionally dependent upon the dose. The practical implications of these findings are discussed in the framework of sustainable control for pest aphids in agriculture.     

Effects of two paralytic shellfish toxin producing dinoflagellates on the pelagic harpacticoid copepod Euterpina acutifrons

The effects of two paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) producing dinoflagellates, Alexandrium minutum Halim (high and low toxin strains) and Gymnodinium catenatum Graham, on the pelagic harpacticoid copepod Euterpina acutifrons Dana were tested in a series of experiments run from October 1994 to May 1995. In small volumes (350 ml), both strains of A. minutum (300 to 350 cells ml^-1), and G. catenatum (175 cells ml^-1), strongly reduced naupliar activity (about 30 and 17% were inactive after 24 h, respectively). Activity is here defined as movement. In medium volumes (6 litre), 40% of nauplii incubated with the high toxin strain of A. minutum (1000 cells ml^-1) and 8% of nauplii incubated with cell-free filtrate of the same culture were inactive after 24 h; these values increased to 50 and 30% respectively after 3 d. In large volumes (20 litre), adult copepods incubated with A. minutum (1000 and 10000 cells ml^-1) for 5 d revealed only trace levels of PSP-toxins (paralytic shellfish poisoning) in the extracts analysed by HPLC. With both strains of A. minutum (1000 and 10000 cells ml^-1), 10 to 15% of the copepods were inactive after 1 to 2 d. It is suggested that E. acutifrons avoids feeding on the dinoflagellates after tasting a few cells, but that the dinoflagellates may exude toxins or other substances that affect the copepods. The inactivating effect of the toxic dinoflagellates on the nauplii was more rapid and stronger than on adult copepods, although strong inactivation and death were also observed in adults with time (up to 80% were inactive after 5 d of incubation with A. minutum). Still, in our experiments a considerable proportion of adult females incubated with the toxic dinoflagellates remained active and were able to produce viable eggs for several days.