2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference

March 13 - 15, 2022

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5/23/2019  |   12:15 PM - 12:30 PM   |  THE INFLUENCE OF LIFE STAGE ON THE SENSITIVITY OF AQUATIC INSECTS TO METALS IN STREAMS   |  253 AB

THE INFLUENCE OF LIFE STAGE ON THE SENSITIVITY OF AQUATIC INSECTS TO METALS IN STREAMS

Evaluations of aquatic insect responses to contaminants typically use larval life stages to characterize taxa sensitivity, but the effects of contaminants on the morphological transition of larvae to emerged terrestrial adults has received less attention. We compare the lethal and sublethal effects of metals to larval and emerging adult aquatic insects using stream mesocosms and field biomonitoring at an acid mine drainage (AMD) remediation site. Mesocosm results showed differences in metal tolerance among dominant taxa and life stages. In addition, the timing of adult emergence was highly altered in all dominant taxa, and sex ratios were changed in mayflies. Field results showed differences in the recovery propensity of larvae compared to adults at sites downstream of the AMD inputs. Our results demonstrate that metal tolerance in aquatic insects is life-stage dependent and that taxa sensitivity is influenced by a combination of physiology and phylogeny. Failure to quantify emergence can mischaracterize contaminant effects on aquatic insect population dynamics and aquatic subsidies to terrestrial ecosystems. Regulatory frameworks would benefit by including test results that account for the effects of contaminants on metamorphosis and adult insect emergence.

  • Ecotoxicology
  • Invertebrate
  • Water Quality

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Presenters/Authors

Christopher Kotalik (), Colorado State University, cjkotalik@gmail.com;


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William Clements (), Colorado State University, William.Clements@colostate.edu ;


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