| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 2009 |
| Authors: | H. Van Gossum, Bots, J., Snijkers, T., Meyer, J., Van Wassenbergh, S., De Coen, W., De Bruyn, L. |
| Journal: | Environ Pollut |
| Volume: | 157 |
| Pagination: | 1332-6 |
| Date Published: | Apr |
| Abstract: | Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is a persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminant that has been detected in organisms worldwide. Here, we evaluate whether long-term (1 and 4 months) exposure to PFOS contamination affects the behavioural performance of freshwater larvae of the damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum (Insecta: Odonata). Our results show reduced behavioural performance with increasing PFOS concentration. In 1 month exposed larvae, no observed effect concentrations (NOECs) were 100 microg/L for general activity. In 4 months exposed larvae, NOECs were 10 microg/L, for each behavioural trait, except swimming acceleration of male larvae where the NOEC was 100 microg/L. When faced with PFOS concentrations above the NOEC, E. cyathigerum larvae were less active, less capable to escape a simulated predator attack and less efficient in foraging. Together, our results show that damselfly larvae suffer reduced survival-related behavioural performance. |