SECTION 12 

 THE BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY 

 B.A. Flerov 



As a result of conspicuous progress in the study of behavior of 

 aquatic animals (Anon., 1972, 1975; Flerov, 1965), this science is be- 

 coming widely applied in aquatic toxicology. 



As early as the 1950's, a number of manuscripts appeared demonstra- 

 ting the peculiarities of action of pharmacological drugs by studies of 

 the behavioral reaction of fish. These efforts (Abramson and Evans, 

 1954; Abramson oX at., 1958; and Evans eX at., 1956) were directed toward 

 the study of the behavior of Siamese Fighting Fish (Be-to i>ptzndzm>) under 

 the influence of psychotropic drugs, including lysergic acid diethyla- 

 mide , reserpine, and arninazine. Studies were also directed toward 

 analysis of conditioned reflexes in fish exposed to the action of arnina- 

 zine (Ivanova, 1961). 



Later, evaluation of harmful effects of toxic substances were made 

 using various behavioral reactions: general locomotory activity (Besch 

 zt at., 1972; Waller and Cams, 1972), the character of swimming re- 

 sponses (Bengtsson, 1974; Davy oX at., 1972), feeding behavior (Braginski 

 ztat., 1972; European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission, 1965; Flerov, 

 1965; and Foster ztat., 1966), defensive behavior (Alekseev and Flerov, 

 1972; Flerov and Lapkina, 1976; Hansen U at. , 1972, 1973, 1974; Ishio, 

 1965, 1969; Jones, 1951, 1957, 1964; Sprague, 1971; Sprague and Drury, 

 1969), sexual behavior (Braginski oXat., 1972; Flerov, 1969), and choice 

 of temperature optimum by aquatic animals (Ogi 1 vie and Anderson, 1965; 

 Opuszynski, 1971; Peterson, 1973). 



The behavioral reactions serve as clear indices of the action of sub- 

 lethal concentrations of toxicants. This is true not only of fish, but 

 also of vertebrates (Swedmark zt at., 1971). At sublethal concentrations 

 of surfactants, the authors note that behavior changed first in marine 

 invertebrates; molluscs lost their ability to bury themselves into the 

 sediments and closed the valves of their shells. Other authors (Alekseev 

 and Flerov, 1972) have observed a suppression of negative photoreaction 

 in chironomids and water mites under the action of sublethal concentra- 

 tions of phenol. Braginski and Co-workers (1972) have established that 

 in sublethal concentrations of hexachlorane, mating frequency in limnaza 

 Atagnatu> drops sharply. It follows from this, that the decline in popu- 

 lation of molluscs may not be the result of the effects of hexachlorane 



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