EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO LEAD ON BEHAVIOR OF MUMMICHOG (FUNDULUS-HETEROCLITUS L) LARVAE

Starting at the day of hatching, Fundulus heteroclitus L. larvae were exposed to 0, 0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg l(-1) Pb (as lead acetate). At weekl y intervals they were tested for prey capture of Artemia, spontaneous activity, and swimming performance. Prey capture was significantly dec reased only after 4 weeks of exposure when there was a significant ele vation of miscues. A significant reduction in spontaneous activity was seen at 1, 3 and 4 weeks. A significant reduction in swimming perform ance was also seen at 1, 3 and 4 weeks. Larvae were tested at 2-3 week s of age for predator avoidance, using grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugi o Holthuis) as the predator. Exposed larvae had increased susceptibili ty to shrimp predation. After 4 weeks of exposure, larvae were returne d to clean sea water and testing continued for another 2-4 weeks of de puration. By 8 weeks, behaviors of previously exposed larvae were no l onger statistically different from that of controls, and lead tissue l evels had decreased. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.