Effects of methylmercury on electric organ discharges in the weak electric fish Gymnotus sylvius
Psychol. neurosci. (Impr.)
;
6(1): 123-127, Jan.-June 2013. ilus
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-687861
ABSTRACT
Methylmercury (MeHg) is present in the environment because of natural and anthropogenic causes. MeHg can reach the central nervous system (CNS) and cause neurological damage in humans and animals. Electric organ discharges (EODs) in the weak electric fish Gymnotus sylvius are produced by the electric organ and modulated by the CNS. These discharges are used for electrolocation and communication. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary MeHg exposure on EOD rate in G. sylvius. An oscilloscope was used to record the EOD rate. Two treatments were investigated chronic MeHg administration (4 µg/kg MeHg every 2 days, with a total of nine dietary exposures to MeHg) and acute MeHg administration (a single dose of 20 µg/kg MeHg). The control data for both treatments were collected every 2 days for 18 days, with a total of nine sessions (day 1 until day 18). Data of fish exposed to MeHg were collected every 2 days, totaling nine sessions (day 19 until day 36). Chronic treatment significantly increased the EOD rate in G. sylvius (p < .05), especially with the final treatment (day 32 until day 36). Acute treatment resulted in an initial increase in the EOD rate, which was maintained midway through the experiment (day 26 until day 30; p < .05). The present study provides the first insights into the effects of MeHg on EODs in weak electric fish. The EOD rate is a novel response of the fish to MeHg administration.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Behavior, Animal
/
Electric Fish
/
Mercury Compounds
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Psychol. neurosci. (Impr.)
Journal subject:
Neurology
/
Psychology
Year:
2013
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade Estadual Paulista/BR
/
Universidade Federal de São Carlos/BR
/
Universidade Federal do Pará/BR
/
Universidade de São Paulo/BR
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