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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
Using Caenorhabditis elegans for Studying Trans- and Multi-Generational Effects of Toxicants
Published on: July 29, 2019
Mortality and abnormalities observed after experimental Hg exposure in the polychaete Eurythoe complanata (Pallas)
Nuria Méndez1, Carlos Green-Ruíz, Ramón Vázquez-Núñez
1Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Joel Montes Camarena s/n, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico. nuri@ola.icmyl.unam.mx
Abstract:
Lethal effects of Hg on Eurythoe complanata held under laboratory conditions were evaluated (LC50 and LT50). Worms were exposed to 0-900 microg/L of Hg for 10 days. Mortality occurred in all the treatments, being faster at 200-900 microg/L, which was confirmed by a Friedman ANOVA non-parametric test. The 4-day LC50 = 197.15 microg/L (200 microg/L LT50 = 3.4 days) was similar to that reported for other Hg tolerant annelids. Abnormalities were observed in worms exposed to all the treatments, becoming more severe as Hg concentrations increased: body darkening, rough, white and opaque skin, everted and swollen proboscis and gut evisceration.
