Ammonia toxicity in Southern King Crab (Lithodes santolla, Molina 1742) larvae

Abstract

Effects of ammonia on zoea I of the Southern King Crab, Lithodes santolla (Decapoda, Lithodidae) were analyzed through acute (96 h) and chronic (29 days in total) assays (seven total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations: 9, 15, 25, 41, 67, 110, and 182 mg L-1 , plus control). The estimated LC 50-96 h was 107.97 mg TAN L-1 (1.93 mg NH 3-N L-1), while the safe level of ammonia was 10.79 mg TAN L-1 (0.19 mg NH 3-N L-1). Survival was highest in the three lowest ammonia concentrations throughout 96 h (93.3%, 90% and 93.3% in 9, 15 and 25 mg TAN L-1 , respectively). In chronic assays, the percentage of survival decreased along with the exposure time and the ammonia concentration. Zoeaes mean life time tended to increase almost gradually with the increment of ammonia concentration. Mean molting time from zoea I to II was 4.06 days, while it increased from zoea II to III, and zoea III to the post-larval stage (6.00 and 8.39 more days, respectively) with ammonia concentration. The percentage of individuals that have molted in every molt stage tended to decrease while ammonia concentration increased. Therefore, the results obtained in the present study bring new information about ammonia toxicity in early stages of development of crab Lithodes santolla, an important commercial species of the Beagle Channel.

A Review of the Emerging Risks of Acute Ammonia Nitrogen Toxicity to Aquatic Decapod Crustaceans

“…Liao et al [39] suggested that the 24 and 48 h LC 50 of TAN in blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) larvae were 51.04 mg/L and 38.72 mg/L, respectively. However, Diodato et al [40] found that the 96 h LC 50 of TAN was 107.97 mg/L in larvae of the southern king crab Lithodes santolla, a cold and cold-temperate water species, which indicated that ammonia-induced toxicity might be associated with water temperature. Note: NR: not reported.…”

Impact of the acute ammonia toxicity on phyllosoma Stage I of a slipper lobster, Ibacus novemdentatus and its recoverability from the ammonia exposure

“…The median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) is an indicator of quantifying concentration, which yields 50% mortality of test organisms within a defined period of time (Buikema Jr et al, 1982; USEPA, 2002). This parameter has been used to determine the tolerance to ammonia toxicity in larvae of major decapod species (Bermudes & Ritar, 2008; Chin & Chen, 1987; Diodato et al, 2019; Lin et al, 1993; Young‐Lai et al, 1991; Zhao et al, 1997). The previous studies suggest that the tolerance to ammonia toxicity of crustacean larvae is generally lower at the early developmental stages than at later stages (Chin & Chen, 1987; Dutra et al, 2016; Lin et al, 1993; Young‐Lai et al, 1991; Zhao et al, 1997).…”