Exposure of <i>Hyalella bonariensis</i> (Crustacea, Amphipoda) to Essential Oils: Effects on Anesthesia and Swimming Activity

Abstract

Amphipods are frequently used as bioindicators of water quality in experimental or behavior trials. Thus, it is a group considered suitable for use as a model organism in tests with essential oils (EOs). This study evaluated the time required for anesthesia induction and recovery of the amphipod crustacean H. bonariensis exposed to the essential oils of Aloysia triphylla (EOAT) and Lippia alba (EOLA), and their major compounds citral and linalool, respectively. In addition, we evaluated the locomotor activity of amphipods using ANY-maze® software. Mortalities were observed at concentrations of 100 and 200 µL/L of citral (50.0 ± 0.39%) and 750 µL/L of EOLA (66.7 ± 0.33%). Except for linalool, increased concentrations of the compounds of the essential oils decreased the time for sedation and anesthesia induction. There were differences for the induction of anesthesia (p p H. bonariensis, Therefore, EOAT and linalool are recommended for anesthesia of this species. EOAT can also be utilized in long-term exposure.

Keywords

• behavior
• citral
• linalool
• locomotor activity
• natural anesthetics