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SURROGATE SPECIES IN ASSESSING CONTAMINANT RISK FOR ENDANGERED FISHES, INCLUDING INTERSPECIES TOXICITY CORRELATIONS
Citation:
Mayer Jr., F L., M. R. Ellersieck, D. R. Buckler, F. J. Dwyer, L. C. Sappington, C. G. Ingersoll, AND D. K. Hardesty. SURROGATE SPECIES IN ASSESSING CONTAMINANT RISK FOR ENDANGERED FISHES, INCLUDING INTERSPECIES TOXICITY CORRELATIONS. Presented at 21st Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Nashville, TN, 12-16 November 2000.
Description:
Rainbow trout, fathead minnows, and sheepshead minnows were tested as surrogate species to assess contaminant risk for 17 endangered fishes and one toad species. Acute toxicity tests were conducted with carbaryl, copper, 4-nonylphenol, pentachlorophenol, and permethrin in accordance with ASTM guidelines to represent different chemical classes and toxic modes of action. Standard surrogate test fishes were found to be toxicologically representative of endangered ones, often having similar sensitivity to chemicals as endangered species. If rainbow trout is used as the surrogate species, those risk assessment procedures that protect rainbow trout would likely be protective of most endangered fishes in regard to sensitivity. Interspecies correlation models indicate that acute toxicity test data for surrogate fishes can be used with accuracy and precision to predict chemical toxicity to endangered fishes. However, correlations were highest within a taxonomic family, particularly with the Cyprinodontids.