Effects of Contaminants on the Frequencies of Allozymes in Populations of the Central Stoneroller

Abstract

Allele and genotype frequencies for allozymes of phosphoglucomutase (PGM) differed significantly between populations of the central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum, Rafinesque) collected from sites above and below impact from industrial activities. The frequencies of the PGM-A allele and PGM-AA and PGM-AB genotypes were significantly less in populations of stoneroller minnows collected from impacted sites than in populations upstream of impact. Stonerollers with these sensitive PGM genotypes and stonerollers with genotypes of malate dehydrogenase MDH-BB were more sensitive to the toxic effects of copper sulfate than other genotypes under laboratory conditions. These results suggest that individuals with certain allozymes may be more sensitive to the toxic effects of environmental contaminants than those with other genotypes. Selection or elimination of individuals with sensitive genotypes by contaminants may result in a narrowing of genetic diversity in populations and thus increase the susceptibility of these populations to further stress. Electrophoretic determination of genetic structure in fishes appears to be sensitive to changes in water quality and may be a useful tool for monitoring the health of aquatic populations.

Genetic Adaptability of Sarotherodon Melanotheron to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Some Senegal Hydrosystems

“…Indeed, the sensitivity of allozymes to environmental stresses would reflect the adaptive nature of individuals (Moraga et al, 2002). Anthropogenic factors (such as pollution) thus seem to favor the selection of individuals with a particular genetic makeup within fish populations through differential survival (Thorpe et al, 1981(Thorpe et al, , smith et al, 1983Nevo et al, 1984, Gillespie & Guttman, 1989and Duan et al, 2001). In addition, according to Kopp et al (1994), genotypes that survive exposure to pollution or salinity may be the most tolerant individuals to environmental stress.…”

“…In addition, according to Kopp et al (1994), genotypes that survive exposure to pollution or salinity may be the most tolerant individuals to environmental stress. in addition, Chagnon & Guttman (1989) and Gillespie & Guttman (1989) mention that the degree of genetic variation maintained by a population may be evidence of its ability to survive in future environmental alterations by moderating or modulating the stressful effects of pollutants and providing the population with the necessary genetic plasticity.…”

Molecular and genetic ecotoxicologic approaches to aquatic environmental bioreporting.

“…However, this might be offset by periodic flushes of heavily contaminated waters (e.g., during spring runoff) through that site. Changes in genetic structure of exposed populations have been used in biomonitoring studies as evidence of metal impact (16,84), and lower genetic diversity has been associated with reduced fitness (85) and increased susceptibility to other stressors (86)(87)(88) (81). Similarity was calculated using Nei's unbiased genetic distance (81).…”

Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (Bmap) Plan

“…These studies offer several advantages over other indicators of environmental quality (Karr 1987) and are especially relevant to assessment of the biotic integrity of EFPC. Monitoring of fish communities has been used within BMAP for receiving streams at ORNL (Loar et al 199 l), K-25 Site @LEU et al 1992b, Ryon 1993a), Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (Ryon 1994a), the Portsmouth facility @yon 1994b), as well as streams associated with the Y-12 Plant ( b a r et al 1989, Ryon 1992a, Southworth et al 1992, with some programs operational since 1984. Changes in the fish communities in these systems have indicated recovery (Ryon 1993b(Ryon , 1994c as well as documented impacts (Ryon 1994a.…”