胚胎期草甘膦铵盐暴露对中华鳖幼体的表型与生理表现的影响

草甘膦是全球范围内生产与使用量最大的除草剂。虽然草甘膦制剂被分于低毒等级,但是许多研究显示其对动物的生理、行为表达具有广泛的干扰作用。本研究将中华鳖胚胎暴露于不同浓度的草甘膦铵盐溶液以评估草甘膦除草剂对其胚胎发育及孵出幼体表型及生理表现的影响。结果显示:一定浓度范围(5～5 000 mg·L~(-1))内,草甘膦铵盐对中华鳖胚胎发育速率、孵出幼体大小、游泳能力、肝脏甘油三酯含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性、丙二醛含量以及热激蛋白70 mRNA相对表达量无显著影响。结果表明:一定浓度范围草甘膦除草剂暴露对中华鳖胚胎发育的影响较小,不改变孵出幼体的表型及其生理表现。     

南极陆生线虫Plectus murrayi对铜的敏感性及其培养和毒性试验程序的开发

南极生态系统特定的环境质量指导值和修复目标是进行南极污染场地风险评估和修复的必需条件。南极土壤生物的生态毒理学测试是确定可靠的污染物效应阈值浓度的基础。本研究描述了针对生活在土壤颗粒间隙水中的南极特有的土壤线虫Plectus murrayi的最佳培养技术和水生毒性实验程序。毒性试验持续时间较长,用于揭示该物种的生理学和生活史特征。Plectus murrayi对水溶性铜的敏感性表现其卵孵化率的效应浓度（EC50）为139 μg/L。首次以卵的形式接触水溶性铜的孵化幼体不如在孵化的J2期初次接触铜的幼体敏感,这表明该卵具有潜在的保护作用。幼体对铜的敏感性随着暴露时间的延长而增加, 21天和28天的半数致死浓度（LC50s）分别为478 μg/L和117 μg/L。本研究描述了应用于南极土壤污染物对环境相关测试物种的风险评估新方法,并首次估算了南极陆生微型无脊椎动物对毒物的敏感性。     

磷酸三苯酯对斑马鱼早期生命阶段的神经毒性研究

磷酸三苯酯(triphenyl phosphate,TPP)作为多溴联苯醚类阻燃剂的替代产品,是一类生产和需求量均相当高的有机磷酸酯类阻燃剂,目前已在多种环境介质以及生物体内均有不同程度检出。由于结构和有机磷农药具有相似性,其对生物的神经毒性值得关注。本研究以斑马鱼为实验动物,研究了TPP(5~625%g·L-1)的胚胎发育毒性和行为毒性,并通过检测乙酰胆碱酯酶活性以及神经系统相关基因的转录水平,探讨其可能的毒性机制。研究发现,TPP可导致斑马鱼胚胎孵化时间延长,体长变短,心率变慢。同时,TPP暴露也可以影响斑马鱼幼鱼在持续光照和明暗周期刺激下的游泳行为,表现为低浓度增加而高浓度降低其游泳速度。而TPP暴露后幼鱼乙酰胆碱酯酶活性以及神经发育相关基因转录水平的变化可能是导致其行为毒性的原因。虽然实验中所设定的暴露浓度高于环境中一般浓度,但TPP在短期暴露中所表现出的胚胎和神经发育毒性表明TPP对于水生生物可能存在一定风险,需要进一步研究加以确认。     

双酚A替代品会对斑马鱼生殖产生不良影响

2013年7月4日来源:环境科学与技术根据韩国研究人员进行的一项研究,对双酚S(双酚A的一种替代物质)的暴露会影响斑马鱼的性激素调节和生殖。今年早些时候,德克萨斯大学的一项研究显示,较低浓度的双酚S可能中断激素传导。韩国研究小组研究了双酚S暴露是否会影响成年斑马鱼的生殖,该研究重点关注使用甾体激素的下丘脑-垂体-性腺(HPG)轴。暴露于"环境相关"浓度的双酚S的斑马鱼产的卵需要更长时间孵化,畸形率也     

聚苯乙烯微塑料长期暴露对海水青鳉(Oryzias melastig-ma)亲代生长、繁殖及子代发育的影响

微塑料污染是近年来受到国际社会广泛关注的海洋环境问题之一,由微塑料造成的生态和人类健康风险不容小觑,但微塑料对鱼类的长期危害目前尚无定论.为评估微塑料颗粒对海洋鱼类的长期影响,选取塑料生产和环境中常见的聚苯乙烯(polystyrene,PS)为研究对象,对海水青鳉(Oryzias melastigma)60 dph(days post hatching,dph)幼鱼进行了为期50 d的长期暴露,系统研究PS暴露对海水青鳉亲代的生长、繁殖和子代胚胎发育等的影响.结果显示,在粒径为10μm、浓度为1×104 parti-cles·L-1和1×105 particles·L-1暴露条件下,PS处理组亲代体长和体质量的改变与对照组相比无显著差异,PS暴露未显著影响亲代性成熟进程和受精过程;PS暴露未显著影响子代胚胎心率和孵化时间,但能显著降低子代孵化率,造成胚胎发育畸形.上述结果表明,PS长期暴露对亲代生长和繁殖未产生明显影响,但对子代的胚胎发育具有不利影响,研究结果为科学评估海洋微塑料污染的生态风险提供了重要参考.     

对硝基酚对大型蚤和斑马鱼胚胎的毒性

采用静态生物毒性试验方法,研究了对硝基酚对大型蚤的急性毒性和斑马鱼胚胎发育影响.结果表明,大型蚤幼蚤接触不同浓度的对硝基酚后,活动会受到不同程度的抑制,甚至死亡,48hEC50值为2.55mg·L-1.对硝基酚对斑马鱼胚胎有蓄积致毒作用,最敏感性指标为83h未孵化、83h卵凝结;实验还发现对硝基酚具有低浓度促进斑马鱼胚胎发育和孵化,高浓度抑制发育并延缓孵化的作用.对硝基酚对大型蚤的毒性与对斑马鱼胚胎的发育影响相比,大型蚤对对硝基酚反应更为敏感.     

对硝基酚对大型蚤和斑马鱼胚胎的毒性(Toxicity of p-Nitrophenol to Daphnia Magna and Zebrafish（Brachydanio rerio） Embryo)

采用静态生物毒性试验方法,研究了对硝基酚对大型蚤的急性毒性和斑马鱼胚胎发育影响. 结果表明,大型蚤幼蚤接触不同浓度的对硝基酚后,活动会受到不同程度的抑制,甚至死亡,48h EC50值为2.55mg·L-1. 对硝基酚对斑马鱼胚胎有蓄积致毒作用,最敏感性指标为83h未孵化、83h卵凝结;实验还发现对硝基酚具有低浓度促进斑马鱼胚胎发育和孵化,高浓度抑制发育并延缓孵化的作用. 对硝基酚对大型蚤的毒性与对斑马鱼胚胎的发育影响相比,大型蚤对对硝基酚反应更为敏感.     

氯化镉对斑马鱼胚胎的发育毒性

为探讨重金属Cd对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应,将受精1h后(1hpf)的斑马鱼胚胎暴露于不同浓度的CdCl2溶液中,观察CdCl2处理对胚胎死亡、孵化及幼鱼畸形的影响。采用吖啶橙(AO)染色,定性观察胚胎细胞凋亡情况;以活性氧(ROS)荧光探针DCFH-DA染色法检测胚胎ROS水平,TBA比色法测定胚胎脂质过氧化水平,DTNB比色法测定还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)水平。结果表明,10.0～30.0mg·L-1CdCl2浓度依赖性地诱导斑马鱼胚胎死亡和幼鱼畸形,胚胎孵化率亦降低。CdCl2处理引起斑马鱼胚胎心脏水肿,尾部弯曲和胚胎发育阻滞。胚胎半数致死浓度(LC50)为18.9mg·L-1,R2=0.973,幼鱼半数致畸浓度(EC50)为13.7mg·L-1,R2=0.967。20.0mg·L-1CdCl2处理组ROS水平、MDA含量明显升高,GSH/GSSG比值明显降低(P<0.01)。20mg·L-1CdCl2处理后,胚胎头部和尾部可见大量细胞凋亡。10mg·L-1N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)与20mg·L-1CdCl2共同处理组斑马鱼胚胎的死亡率和畸形率明显降低,孵化率明显升高,ROS水平、MDA含量以及GSH/GSSG比值趋于正常。以上结果说明,CdCl2暴露对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应可能与CdCl2诱导的氧化应激相关。     

离子液体[C_8 mim]Cl对泥鳅胚胎和仔鱼的毒性

以泥鳅的胚胎及仔鱼为试验材料,选择胚胎发育的4个不同时期(囊胚期、原肠胚中期、神经胚期、尾芽期)及仔鱼期为处理开始的时间点,探讨了离子液体[C8mim]Cl的毒性作用。结果表明,随着[C8mim]Cl浓度增加,泥鳅胚胎的孵化率下降,畸形率上升,具有明显的剂量-效应关系,67~150 mg·L-1的[C8mim]Cl对泥鳅胚胎均表现出明显的致畸毒性效应;随着[C8mim]Cl浓度增加,泥鳅仔鱼死亡率上升,而100~225 mg·L-1的[C8mim]Cl对泥鳅仔鱼具有明显的致畸、致死作用。其中,[C8mim]Cl对孵出期泥鳅仔鱼的24 h、48 h的半致死浓度分别为97.95和86.77 mg·L-1;而[C8mim]Cl对孵出后3 d泥鳅仔鱼的24 h、48 h的半致死浓度分别为73.77和40.98 mg·L-1。由上可知,在一定的剂量内,[C8mim]Cl对泥鳅胚胎及仔鱼的发育有明显的致畸、致死作用,这为离子液体[C8mim]Cl的合理使用提供了理论依据。     

纳米二氧化硅对斑马鱼胚胎发育毒性的初步研究（Preliminary Study on the Toxicity of Nanosized Silicon Dioxide on Embryonic Development of Zebrafish Embryos）

为了评价纳米二氧化硅对鱼类发育的影响,以斑马鱼为模式生物,研究了不同浓度纳米二氧化硅和常规二氧化硅的水溶悬浮液对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应.结果表明,常规二氧化硅对斑马鱼胚胎发育无明显毒性效应,而纳米二氧化硅对斑马鱼胚胎发育具有明显的抑制作用,且呈一定的剂量依赖性,其对84hpf斑马鱼胚胎的LC50值为240mg·L-1.纳米二氧化硅可导致胚胎孵化率显著下降、死亡率显著上升,且可观察到幼鱼多种畸形现象,此外纳米二氧化硅可使斑马鱼提前孵化,但提前孵化的幼鱼未发育完全.检测108hpf斑马鱼幼鱼体内丙二醛(MDA)含量发现,纳米二氧化硅染毒组MDA含量均显著高于对照组(0mg·L-1)(p<0.05),提示,纳米二氧化硅的发育毒性可能源于其导致的氧化损伤.     

Locomotion performance of green turtle hatchlings from the Heron Island Rookery,Great Barrier Reef

Locomotion performance plays a vital role in determining hatchling green turtle Chelonia mydas survival in the first few hours after emerging from their nests as hatchlings crawl and swim the gauntlet of predators before reaching the relative safety of the open ocean. Previous laboratory based constant incubation experiments found incubation temperature to influence the size and swimming performance of hatchling green turtles. Here we examine the morphology and crawling and swimming performance of hatchling green turtles as they emerge from nests on Heron Island rookery in the southern Great Barrier Reef to test the hypothesis that nest temperature in the field can influence these attributes. We found inter-nest differences in hatchling mass and dimensions, and that hatchling mass was not correlated with nest temperature. However, hatchlings from warmer nests had smaller carapace dimensions than hatchlings from cool nests suggesting that more yolk was converted to hatchling tissue during embryonic development in cool nests. There was considerable intra- and inter-nest variation in both crawling and swimming performance of hatchlings. Hatchlings from cool nests tended to be faster crawlers than hatchlings from warm nests, but the thrust produced during swimming was not correlated with nest temperature. During the 4 h swimming trial, hatchlings swimming effort decreased significantly during the first 3 h but swimming effort remained relatively constant for the last 1 h. Individual hatchling crawling and swimming performances were not correlated with each other. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Can leftovers from predators be reliably used to monitor marine turtle hatchling sex-ratios? The implications of prey selection by ghost crabs

In marine turtles, the sex of an individual is determined by temperatures experienced during embryonic development. Gonad histological observation is still the only reliable way to determine hatchling sex, hampering the study of reproduction and of the demographic consequences of context-dependent sex-ratios, a subject of interest in a warming planet. We investigated whether hatchling remains from predation by Ocypode cursor can be used to estimate sex-ratio trends in a green turtle rookery at Poilão, Guinea-Bissau (10°52′N, 15°43′W). Sex could be readily determined in 77 and 79% of the predated hatchlings in 2008 and 2009, respectively. By comparing hatchlings killed by crabs, hatchlings accidentally dying on the reefs, and live hatchlings, we show that ghost crabs select the smaller prey, but do not select according to hatchling sex, which is explained by the lack of hatchling size dimorphism in this population. The proportion of male hatchlings was 0.45 ± 0.06 and 0.15 ± 0.06 for early and late-season clutches, respectively, these differences most likely being explained by rainfall. Using leftovers from predation by crabs may be a good solution to non-invasively monitor broad trends in sex-ratios of sea turtles.     

Discrimination of ocean wave features by hatchling loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta

At the beginning of their offshore migration, hatchling sea turtles orient directly into oceanic waves as they swim away from land. Recent experiments have demonstrated that hatchlings swimming underwater can determine the propagation direction of waves by monitoring the circular movements they experience as waves pass above. During July and August 1993, we studied how loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings (Caretta caretta L.) from the east coast of Florida, USA, responded to a range of wave parameters. We constructed a wave simulator to reproduce in air the circular movements that normally occur beneath small ocean waves. Hatchlings suspended in air and subjected to these orbital movements attempted to orient into simulated waves when periods and amplitudes were similar to those found near the Florida coast. Orbital movements with longer periods (greater than 10 s), however, failed to elicit responses. The results demonstrate that hatchling loggerheads can distinguish between waves with different periods and amplitudes, and that Florida hatchlings respond most strongly to orbital movements closely resembling those of waves that occur near their natal beach. Received: 28 May 1996 / Accepted: 17 September 1996     

Modelling the fate of marine turtle hatchlings

The SLIM oceanographic model was used to examine the fate of hatchling flatback turtles (Natator depressus) in the first two weeks of their dispersal starting at Wild Duck Island, a major turtle-nesting site in the central Great Barrier Reef region of Australia. We ran simulations to investigate the effects of spring versus neap tides, hatchling's swimming behaviour during their first three days at sea, and the location of nesting beaches. The model predicted that up to 50% of the turtle hatchlings entering the sea from the windward, southern beach remained after 14 days in shallow, nearshore waters, irrespective of tides and swimming. These waters are turbid and may be inhospitable to hatchlings. In contrast >80% of hatchlings dispersing from the leeward, northern beach were dispersed to deeper water (10-40 m) in a quasi-stationary dispersion core centred around 10 km north of the nesting beach after 14 days and the offshore spread of the turtle plume was enhanced by the hatchling's seaward swimming during the first three days. This was due to the presence of a coastal boundary layer and a stagnation zone around the northern side of island, but not the southern side. The model confirmed that dispersal from eastern Queensland flatback turtle rookeries is restricted to the lagoons and coastal waters, and that water circulation and hatchling's swimming control dispersion. The model explains why more turtles nest on the northern than the southern side. This study highlights the usefulness of oceanographic models to increase knowledge about a cryptic life stage of marine turtles.     

The effect of incubation temperature on hatchling quality in the olive ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea, from Alas Purwo National Park, East Java, Indonesia: implications for hatchery management

Nest protection through egg relocation from natural nests into protected hatcheries is a common practice used at rookeries around the world to increase hatchling recruitment into sea turtle populations. However, rarely have the impacts of this practice on hatchling recruitment and quality been assessed. This study investigated the influences of the thermal nest environment of olive ridley turtles Lepidochelys olivacea on emergence success and quality of hatchlings of hatchery nests in Alas Purwo National Park, East Java, Indonesia (2009 and 2010 nesting seasons). Nest temperatures above 34?°C for at least 3 consecutive days during incubation in the hatchery resulted in decreases in emergence success and locomotor performance of hatchlings. The use of the hatchery is recommended due to extremely high predation rate of nests left on the beach; however, altering hatchery management practice by spacing nests one meter apart and providing shade should improve hatchery outcomes now and into the future.     

Patterns in the emergence of green (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chelonia mydas</Emphasis>) and loggerhead (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Caretta caretta</Emphasis>) turtle hatchlings from their nests

The emergence patterns of both green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtle hatchlings were observed in great detail over three seasons at Alagadi beach, northern Cyprus. In total, 38 green turtle and 50 loggerhead turtle nests were monitored, accounting for the emergence of 2,807 and 2,259 hatchlings, respectively. We quantified these emergences into 397 green turtle and 302 loggerhead turtle emergence groups. Overall, 85.0% of green turtle and 79.5% of loggerhead turtle groups emerged at night; these accounted for 85.5 and 90.8% of hatchlings, respectively. The remaining emergences were dispersed throughout the day for green turtle nests but confined to the morning in loggerhead turtle nests. Hatchling emergence from individual nests occurred over periods of between 1 and 7 nights, with most hatchlings typically emerging on the first night. Group sizes of green turtles emerging during the day were significantly smaller than those emerging at night. Hatchlings of both species that emerged from nests during the day had longer emergence durations than those that emerged from nests at night only.Communicated by R.J. Thompson, St. Johns     

Effects of Organized Turtle Watches on Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) Nesting Behavior and Hatchling Production in Florida

To evaluate the effects of organized turtle watches on female sea turtles and their eggs, we quantified nesting behavior and hatchling production of loggerhead turtles ( Caretta caretta ) in south Brevard Country, Florida, U.S.A. We compared the duration of five phases of nesting behavior, the directness of the turtle's return path, rate of travel during return crawl, hatching success, and hatchling emergence success between experimental and control turtles. Experimental turtles nested while observed by an organized turtle watch group consisting of at least 15 people; control turtles were not observed by a turtle watch group. Experimental turtles spent significantly less time camouflaging nest sites than did control turtles. The duration of the other four phases of nesting behavior were not significantly different between the two groups. Experimental turtles also traveled less-direct paths during return crawls, although their rates of travel were not significantly different from those of control turtles. Hatching success and hatchling emergence success were not significantly different between experimental and control turtle nests in either year. Although turtle watch groups influenced nesting behavior, they were not found to be detrimental to hatchling production. Florida's turtle watch program is a means for garnering public support for sea turtle conservation through education, and it should continue.     

The nesting of the Pacific ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea on Playa Nancite,Costa Rica

A study of the nesting of the Pacific ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea was undertaken in Costa Rica on Playa Nancite — one of two beaches on which the authors had, the previous year, discovered large nesting aggregations of this species. During the 3 1/2-month period of this study, approximately 288,000 turtles nested on the 1300 m-long beach. About 99% of these nested during 3 periods of mass-nesting (arribadas). The predictability of the arribadas was investigated by observing and recording environmental parameters with which they may be correlated. The mass-nesting phenomenon, aspects of nesting behavior, and the adaptive advantages of mass-nesting are discussed. During the period of study, nearly 2,000 turtles were tagged, 102 of which were subsequently recovered. Carapace lengths and widths of 251 tagged turtles were measured. The emergence of hatchlings was recorded daily and, from these data, the incubation period and an indication of egg and hatchling survival was obtained. The activities of the various predators on eggs, hatchlings, and adults are described.     

Breeding biology of the green turtle,Chelonia mydas, (Reptilia: Cheloniidae) on Wan-An Island,Peng-Hu Archipelago,Taiwan. I. Nesting ecology

The nesting season of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas on Wan-An Island, Peng-Hu Archipelago, Taiwan extended from early June to early October in both 1992 and 1993. Turtles nested on 9 of the 11 beaches on the island. The average inter-nesting interval was 14.9 d. A close relationship between the first reemergence time and the tidal cycle was found in the present study. The mean straight carapace length of the adult female was 96.6 cm. Female turtles produced from one to nine egg clutches; the average clutch size was 113 eggs. The mean egg size was 46.9 mm in diameter and 22.7 g in weight. The average incubation period was 49.3 d. The sediment characteristics of the beaches on the island are well within the incubation requirements for green turtle nesting. The average hatching success was 70%, but was lower in the artificial nest. The average size for hatchlings was 46.9 mm in straight carapace length and 22.7 g in body weight. The health of the hatchling is influenced by the adult female size, the nesting depth and the precipitation during incubation.