A comparative study of the oxidative system in Chironomidae larvae with contrasting feeding strategies

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to compare the oxidative system in the fourth-instar larvae of four species of Diptera belonging to the family Chironomidae: Chironomus riparius, Paratanytarsus sp., Prodiamesa olivacea and Conchapelopia melanops. These species were selected based on their ecological and biological differences and were assessed in relation to their ecological and biological characteristics. The following parameters of oxidative stress were determined: the levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione; the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT); the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation; and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity. Results demonstrated significant differences among taxa in the specific activity of most investigated parameters. Prodiamesa olivacea showed the greatest antioxidant protection (activity of CAT, level of reduced glutathione (GSH)) and the highest detoxification activities (activity of GST and level of GSH). Predatory C. melanops was shown to be the most promiscuous biomarker for assessing the total antioxidant activity. We demonstrate that the four chironomid taxa, occupying the same ecosystem, share an important antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic pool, but with oxidative stress parameters differing among the four species.

Assessing the Efficacy of Coagulation (Al3+) and Chlorination in Water Treatment Plant Processes: Inactivating Chironomid Larvae for Improved Tap Water Quality

“…After being exposed to high doses of chemicals, some of the larvae die. Similar results indicated that the population of larval chironomids when exposed to a polluted environment, exhibits specific responses in the form of changes in larval behavior and morphology [15][16][17]. The effects of the pesticide as a pollutant also change the morphology and behavior of chironomus riparius larvae.…”

Cyanobacteria and Macroinvertebrate Relationships in Freshwater Benthic Communities beyond Cytotoxicity

“…Table S1: Compilation of data regarding the relationships between cyanobacteria and benthic macroinvertebrates. References [ 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 , 151 , 152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 , 167 , 168 , 169 , 170 , 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 , 175 , 176 , 177 , 178 , 179 , 180 , 181 , 182 , 183 , 184 , 185 , 186 , 187 , 188 , 189 , 190 , …”