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Abstract

Toxicity of Hydrothermal vent (HV) effluents was tested by investigating the effect on growth and reproduction of the copepod Paramphiascella sp. which was collected and subsequently cultured from localities nearby a shallow marine HV at Kueishan Tao Island, Taiwan. Ontogenetic stages (nauplii, copepodids, and adults) were exposed to a range of concentrations of HV effluents in a static renewal culture system. In a first of two experiments we tested the survivorship of these in HV effluent dilutions from 1 to 50%. HV effluents significantly reduced the survivorship of the naupliar stages at concentrations >5% for Paramphiascella sp. (p < 0.01) and all nauplii died at concentrations of 25% and 50%. Copepodids were significantly letally affected at concentrations >5% (p < 0.01) and all died at 50% (p < 0.01). Developmental duration in Paramphiascella was showing a trend of developmental delay in both phases, in the naupliar and in the copepodid phase. Mortality showed a greater sensitivity to chemical exposure than development time. Among both traits were early developmental stages of Paramphiascella sp. more sensitive to HV effluents than advanced stages. We showed that Paramphiascella sp. was a useful test organism in the monitoring of life cycle as well as acute effects of HV effluents being present for millions of years and providing unique ecosystems. Mortality was a useful toxicological endpoint whereas developmental duration was not.

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