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Amanda Browne Thesis 2014.pdf (1012.44 KB)

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The Effects of Sub-Lethal Levels of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Herbicide on Foraging Behaviors in the Crayfish, Orconectes Rusticus

Browne, Amanda M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1400849615

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
The widespread use of herbicides across the globe has increased the probability of synthetic chemicals entering freshwater habitats. Upon entering aquatic habitats, these chemicals target and disrupt both physiological and behavioral functioning in various aquatic organisms. Herbicides, such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), can have negative impacts on chemoreception because these receptor cells are in direct contact with water-soluble chemicals in the environment. Studies focusing on lethal concentrations (LC50 levels) may understate the impact of herbicides within aquatic habitats as damage to the chemoreceptors can result in modified behaviors or lack of appropriate responses to environmental or social cues. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether exposure to sub-lethal levels of 2,4-D alters the foraging behaviors of crayfish, Orconectes rusticus. We hypothesized that crayfish exposed to greater concentrations of 2,4-D would be less successful in locating food, or upon locating food, would consume smaller amounts possibly due to an inability to recognize the food odors in the contaminated waters. Crayfish were exposed to three sub-lethal levels of 2,4-D for 96 h and placed into a Y-maze system with a fish gelatin food source placed randomly in the right or left arm. Average walking speed, average time spent in the correct arm, and percent consumption were analyzed. Our data show crayfish were impaired in their ability to forage effectively. These inabilities to locate and consume adequate amounts of food could result in lower body weights and decreased fitness in the populations of crayfish exposed to 2,4-D in natural habitats.
Paul Moore, Dr. (Advisor)
Shannon Pelini, Dr. (Committee Member)
Stephen Vessey, Dr. (Committee Member)
44 p.
Biology
Herbicide; Ecotoxicology; 2,4-D; Foraging; Crayfish

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Browne, A. M. (2014). The Effects of Sub-Lethal Levels of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Herbicide on Foraging Behaviors in the Crayfish, Orconectes Rusticus [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1400849615

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Browne, Amanda. The Effects of Sub-Lethal Levels of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Herbicide on Foraging Behaviors in the Crayfish, Orconectes Rusticus . 2014. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1400849615.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Browne, Amanda. "The Effects of Sub-Lethal Levels of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Herbicide on Foraging Behaviors in the Crayfish, Orconectes Rusticus ." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1400849615

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1400849615
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© 2014, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License The Effects of Sub-Lethal Levels of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Herbicide on Foraging Behaviors in the Crayfish, Orconectes Rusticus by Amanda M Browne is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.