Applicability of Enchytraeus bulbosus as a model species in ecotoxicology and risk assessment

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 224; p. 112660
• Main Authors: Yang, Jing, Chen, Xiaoqian, Yin, Daqiang, Yin, Haowen, Zhang, Ying, Liu, Min, Zhao, Weigang, Zhang, Lu, Liu, Yanan, Yang, Xichen, Zhong, Zhijie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.11.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Carbendazim; Chloroacetamide; Copper; Enchytraeus bulbosus; Pentachlorophenol; Two generations; Enchytraeus bulbosus; Pentachlorophenol; Copper; Carbendazim; Two generations; Chloroacetamide
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112660

Enchytraeus bulbosus is listed in the ISO and OECD standard guidelines as a possible test species of enchytraeid. However, in contrast to other listed species, its applicability in ecotoxicological studies as well as its sensitivity is widely unknown. Therefore, copper, pentachlorophenol(PCP), carbendazim, and chloroacetamide have been investigated by performing two-generation studies with multiple endpoints. Comparable toxicity trends to the existing studies were shown for copper and PCP in the two-generation studies of E. bulbosus. Dose-related abnormal swelling of clitella were found for the first time with PCP and chloroacetamide treatments. Sensitivity comparisons of E. bulbosus to other terrestrial test species were also conducted. E. bulbosus showed high sensitivity, it has comparable sensitivity as other sensitive species of genus Enchytraeus ( E. albidus or E. luxuriosus)to different chemicals, and was more sensitive than E. crypticus and earthworm species ( Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei). Combined with the phylogenetic and biological characterization, the results lead to the conclusion that E.bulbosus is a suitable model species in ecotoxicology and the chemical risk assessment (especially in multi-generation) because it has a short generation time, comparatively moderate fecundity, ideal and reasonable sensitivity. •Dose-related abnormal swelling of clitella were found upon the exposure to PCP and chloroacetamide.•Ideal sensitivity of E. bulbosus has been proved by sensitivity comparsion to other test species.•E. bulbosus is suitable used as a model species in ecotoxicology and chemical risk assesment studies.