Combined effects of temperature and salinity on the demographic response of Proales similis (Beauchamp, 1907) and Brachionus plicatilis (Müller, 1786) (Rotifera) to mercury.

The demographic response of the brackish-water rotifers Proales similis and Brachionus plicatilis to mercury (0.5, 2, 8 and 32 µg L-1 of HgCl2) at different salinity levels (10 and 20‰) and two temperature (25 °C and 32 °C) regimes were evaluated. Median lethal concentration (LC50) for P. similis and B. plicatilis was 10 and 16 µg L-1, respectively, showing that Proales similis was more sensitive to mercury than B. plicatilis. The rate of population increase (r) for both species was greater at 10‰ salinity and 32 °C (ranged from 0.6 to 0.95 d-1). The r-value decreased as the concentration of mercury in the medium increased. Regardless of the temperature, at lower salinity and higher mercury concentration (32 µg L-1), P. similis died within six days. The survivorship of P. similis and B. plicatilis was higher at 25 °C than at 32 °C (ranged from 5 to 8 and 7-13 d, respectively). Fecundity was higher at 32 °C than at 25 °C for both rotifers species. There was a significant effect of the interaction among salinity, temperature, and mercury in both species on the reproductive variables such as net and gross reproductive rates, generation time and the rate of population increase. Considering the sensitivity of P. similis, we suggest that this species be included in the list of marine bioassay organisms.