Effects of developmental exposure to neurotoxic algal metabolites on predator-prey interactions in larval Pimephales promelas

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 879; p. 163148
• Main Authors: Lamka, Gina F., Auxier, Autum N., Swank, Ally, Esarey, Katie, Mullinax, Hannah R., Seymour, Ryan D., Ward, Jessica L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 25.06.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior; BMAA; chronic exposure; Cyanobacteria; cyanobacterial toxins; Cyanotoxin; Cyprinidae - physiology; environment; Harmful algal bloom; Larva; larvae; neurotoxicity; neurotoxins; Pimephales promelas; poisonous algae; Predator evasion; Predatory Behavior; Prey capture; secondary metabolites; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Harmful algal bloom; Predator evasion; Behavior; BMAA; Prey capture; Cyanotoxin
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163148

Harmful algal blooms are a growing environmental concern in aquatic systems. Although it is known that some of the secondary metabolites produced by cyanobacteria can alter predator-prey dynamics in aquatic communities by reducing foraging and/or predator evasion success, the mechanisms underpinning such responses are largely unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of a potent algal neurotoxin, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), on the development and behavior of larval Fathead Minnows, Pimephales promelas, during predator-prey interactions. We exposed eggs and larvae to environmentally relevant concentrations of BMAA for 21 days, then tested subjects in prey-capture and predator-evasion assays designed to isolate the effects of exposure at sequential points of the stimulus-response pathway. Exposure was associated with changes in the ability of larvae to detect and respond to environmental stimuli (i.e., a live prey item and a simulated vibrational predator), as well as changes in behavior and locomotor performance during the response. Our findings suggest that chronic exposure to neurodegenerative cyanotoxins could alter the outcomes of predator-prey interactions in natural systems by impairing an animal's ability to perceive, process, and respond to relevant biotic stimuli. [Display omitted] •β-N-methylamino-L-alanine exposure in early development affects Fathead Minnow behavior.•Predator avoidance escape time is longer in β-N-methylamino-L-alanine exposed fish.•β-N-methylamino-L-alanine exposure slows recognition of vibrational threats in larva.•β-N-methylamino-L-alanine did not strongly impact larval prey-tracking ability.•Cyanotoxins alter stimulus detection and locomotor performance in Fathead Minnows.