Azad Mohammed

Effects of different temperature regimens on the development of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes

This study was conducted to determine the effects of increased water temperatures on the development of Aedes aegypti immatures under laboratory conditions in Trinidad, West Indies using temperature regulated water baths to cover a range of temperatures from 24-25°C to 34-35°C at a relative humidity of 80%. Two experiments were designed: (1) at constant temperature regimens and (2) under diurnal temperature regimens ranging from 24-25°C to 34-35°C. At 24-25°C egg hatching success was 98% at 48 h, however at 34-35°C egg hatching rates declined to 1.6% after 48 h. Ae. aegypti larvae reared under constant temperature regimens showed pupation on day 4 with highest pupation occurring at 30°C (78.4%) However, under diurnal temperature regimens, pupation began on day 4 but only at the higher temperatures of 30-35°C. Under diurnal temperature regimens ranging from 24°C to 35°C significantly more females emerged at higher temperatures, than males. In contrast, at constant temperatures of 24-35°C no significant difference in M/F ratios were observed. The body size of Ae. aegypti reared at constant temperature regimens was significantly larger than males and females larvae reared under diurnal temperature regimens of 25-30°C. The results of this study are discussed in the context of changing or increasing water temperatures, seasonal changes in vector populations and vector competence. Using these key factors control strategies are recommended to manage vector populations as expected increases in temperatures impact the Caribbean region.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in harbor sediments from Sea Lots, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined in nearshore marine surficial sediments from three locations in Trinidad. Sediments were sampled at Sea Lots on the west coast, in south Port-of-Spain Harbor, south of Sea Lots at Caroni Lagoon National Park, and on Trinidads east coast at Manzanilla. Total PCB concentrations in Sea Lots sediments ranged from 62 to 601ng/g (dry weight {dw}), which was higher than at Caroni and Manzanilla, 13 and 8ng/g dw, respectively. Total OCP concentrations at Sea Lots were ranged from 44.5 to 145ng/g dw, compared with 13.1 and 23.8n/g (dw), for Caroni and Manzanilla respectively. The concentrations of PCBs and of some OCPs in sediments from Sea Lots were above the Canadian interim sediment quality guidelines. To date, this data is the first report on the levels of PCBs and other organochlorine compounds from Trinidad and Tobago.

Factors affecting tadpole growth: Development of a rearing system for the Neotropical leptodactylid Physalaemus pustulosus for ecotoxicological studies

The frog Physalaemus is potentially useful for ecotoxicological studies in the Neotropics, and on the large and neglected family Leptodactylidae. The biology of adults and foam nests is well known but larval growth is little studied, with previous estimates of 40-60 days to metamorphosis. We investigated multiple factors affecting growth and development (water change; water flow; diet type; substrate type; background colour; temperature; container hygiene; aeration; tadpole age; tadpole relatedness) to develop a laboratory rearing system, which finally achieved better than 95% survival and 95% metamorphosis of survivors by 18 d after collection of nests. The final system comprised 10 tadpoles L−1 (360 m−2) in 1 L still water (changed every 3 d) or 2 L flowing water (flow 2-3 L d−1) 4 cm deep at room temperature of 27°C, with 10 g L−1 puddle soil dried at 110°C, and fed ad libitum on pellet fish food. The soil was the most important factor, giving faster growth and development than even warm water (33°C). Pellet food improved dissolved oxygen (DO) compared to flakes and was simpler to use, but gave similar tadpole performance (survival and growth). Aeration was not necessary; this increased DO but did not affect tadpole performance, and neither did background colour or mixing tadpoles from different nests.

Metals in sediments and mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) from the Caroni Swamp, Trinidad

Metals can have significant impacts on inhabitants of mangrove swamps as well as consumers of mangrove-associated fauna. Yet, for several Caribbean islands, assessments regarding the impact of metals on such ecosystems are particularly sparse. The present study investigated the distribution and potential impact of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the Caroni Swamp, Trinidad and Tobago’s largest mangrove ecosystem. Surface sediments and mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) from 10 sites in the swamp were analysed for the 6 identified metals. The concentration ranges (in μg/g dry wt.) of metals in sediments from Caroni Swamp were: Zn (113.4–264.6), Cr (27–69.7), Ni (10.7–41.1) and Cu (11–40.7). Based on Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines (CSQGs), metals in sediments posed a low to medium risk to aquatic life. The concentration ranges (in μg/g wet wt.) for metals in Crassostrea rhizophorae tissues were: Zn (123.2–660), Cu (4.2–12.3), Ni (0.1–5.5), Pb (0.1–0.9), Cr (0.2–0.3) and Cd (0.1–0.2). Multiple evaluations indicated that zinc posed a potential threat to the health of oyster consumers. Information from this study is vital for managing the Caroni Swamp, safeguarding the health of consumers of shellfish on this Caribbean island and serving as a useful baseline for future local and regional risk assessments.

AN EVALUATION OF SOME TRINIDADIAN PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST LARVAE OF AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITOES

ABSTRACT In recent times, bioprospecting for plants that show bioactive properties has yielded many chemicals that can be used in controlling mosquitoes. Crude extracts of 4 terrestrial and 3 mangrove plants were assayed against 2–3 larval instars of Aedes aegypti. Among the plants tested, Cordia curassavica showed the highest levels of activity for all the extracts tested. Azadirachta indica showed the least activity, whereas the 2 cultivars of Mangifera indica showed substantial activity for the aqueous extracts. The mangrove species proved to be relatively nontoxic to Ae. aegypti larvae when compared to the terrestrial plants. The results of this study suggest that some common plants in Trinidad may be highly effective in controlling the urban vector of yellow fever and dengue fever, Ae. aegypti.

Comparative Sensitivity of Three Tropical Cladoceran Species (Diaphanosoma brachyurum, Ceriodaphnia rigaudii and Moinodaphnia macleayi) to Six Chemicals

The toxicities of six chemicals (cadmium chloride, potassium dichromate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, potassium chloride, Tritox X-100 and copper (II) sulphate) was determined for three tropical freshwater cladoceran, Moinodaphnia macleayi, Ceriodaphnia rigaudii and Diaphanosoma brachyurum. The data was subsequently used to compare the relative sensitivity of the three species. Relative sensitivities were determined by comparing the 48-hour LC50 values using an independent t-test and interspecies correlation. Potassium dichromate was the most toxic compound tested, while potassium chloride was the least toxic to all three species. The 48 h LC50 values for D. brachyurum ranged from 0.003 mg/L to 30.4 mg/L; M. macleayi LC50 values ranged from 0.003 mg/L to 30.1 mg/L whereas for C. rigaudii the values ranging between 0.002 mg/L to 21.1 mg/L. The LC50 values for C. rigaudii was significantly less (P < 0.05) than M. macleayi for five of the compounds tested, whereas for D. brachyurum it was significantly (P < 0.05) less than four of the compounds tested. The interspecies correlation also suggested that C. rigaudii and M. macleayi were more similar in sensitivity (R2 = 0.96) to each other than D. brachyurum (R2 = 0.91 with M. macleayi, and R2 = 0.87 with C. rigaudii).

Comparative sensitivity of three life stages of the tropical mysid, Metamysidopsis insularis to six toxicants

Test protocols citing mysids as a standard test species often recommend juveniles (48 h) as the most appropriate life stage for testing. Acute toxicity tests were conducted with six standard toxicants, with three life stages of Metamysidopsis insularis; juveniles (48 h), late juveniles (7–12 days) and adults (>13 days), to determine whether there were significant differences in the sensitivity between life stages. Three of the compounds tested (sodium dodecyl sulphate, potassium dichromate, and potassium chloride) showed a significantly higher 96 h-LC50 for the adults when compared to the juveniles and late juveniles. Four of the compounds tested showed significantly higher 24 h- and 48h-LC50 for the adults when compared to both the late juveniles and juveniles. Twenty-four hour-LC50 values for juveniles were also significantly higher than the 48 and 96 h values. However, for the late juveniles and adults this was only true of a few compounds. Further, the 48 and 96 h values were statistically similar. Therefore, for M. insularis it may be appropriate to conduct acute toxicity test with juvenile for a 48 h period.

Comparative sensitivities of the tropical cladoceran, Ceriodaphnia rigaudii and the temperate species Daphnia magna to seven toxicants

The toxicities of seven chemicals [cadmium (Cd) chloride, potassium dichromate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, potassium chloride (KCl), Triton X-100, zinc (Zn) chloride and copper (Cu) (II) sulfate] were determined using the tropical freshwater cladoceran, Ceriodaphnia rigaudii and the temperate species, Daphnia magna. Data generated was subsequently used to determine the relative sensitivities of both species, using interspecies correlation to compare the 48 h LC50 values for both species. The 48 h LC50 values for C. rigaudii ranged from 0.002 mg L−1 (potassium dichromate) to 21.1 mg L−1 (KCl), whereas those for D. magna ranged from 0.3 mg L−1 for Cu to 418.87 mg L−1 for KCl. The LC50 values for C. rigaudii were significantly less than that for D. magna for six of the compounds tested. The interspecies correlation also showed a low, positive correlation suggesting that the sensitivities of both species were not similar for the compounds tested. The sensitivity factors for C. rigaudii and D. magna ranged between 0.01 and 12.3. These values further suggested that for six of the compounds tested, C. rigaudii appeared to be more sensitive than D. magna. It is therefore possible that because of these differences in relative sensitivities, toxicity data generated with D. magna may not be appropriate for Trinidad.

An approach for assessing the suitability of Ceriodaphnia rigaudii as an indigenous tropical toxicity test species.

Although the selection criteria for toxicity test species are well-documented, they do not provide a clear approach for establishing the suitability of a species for regulatory testing. This study looks at the approach used to determine if Ceriodaphnia rigaudii, an indigenous tropical cladoceran species, may be designated as a suitable freshwater test species for regulatory testing in Trinidad and Tobago. The approach involved species identification, life cycle characterization, salinity tolerance, toxicological responses to standard chemicals, and comparative sensitivity evaluation with an established test species. The results showed that C. rigaudii (0.45 mm) was significantly smaller in size, had a shorter life cycle and matured faster than temperate cladoceran species such as Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia magna (3–6 mm). Ceriodaphnia rigaudii has a life span of about 10–15 days and reached sexual maturity within 2 days, whereas D. magna had a life span of about 40–50 days and attained sexual maturity within 6–10 days. The LC50 values for C. rigaudii were significantly less than D. magna for the six compounds tested. Interspecies correlation also showed a low positive correlation, suggesting that the sensitivities of both species were not similar for the compounds tested. The sensitivity factors of C. rigaudii and D. magna for the toxicants ranged 0.01–12.3, suggesting that C. rigaudii was more sensitive than D. magna. This study was useful in defining a stepwise approach to help establish C. rigaudii as an indigenous tropical toxicity test species in Trinidad.

Comparative sensitivity of a tropical mysid Metamysidopsis insularis and the temperate species Americamysis bahia to six toxicants

The sensitivity of the tropical mysid, Metamysidopsis insularis relative to that of the sub-tropical North American mysid, Americamysis bahia was determined by comparing their acute toxicity to six toxicants. The 96 h LC50 values for M. insularis ranged from 0.03 mg L−1 (cadmium (Cd) chloride) to 466 mg L−1 (potassium chloride (KCL) whereas those for A. bahia ranged from 0.1 mg L−1 for Cd chloride to 501 mg L−1 for KCl. The interspecies correlation indicated that the mean acute toxicities for M. insularis showed a high positive correlation with A. bahia (r 2 = 1.0). Data suggest there were no significant differences between acute toxic responses of the two species to these toxicants. The results suggest that though M. insularis and A. bahia occur in different climatic zones, the difference in relative sensitivities of the two species due to temperature preferenda may be negligible. Consequently, M. insularis may be considered suitable tropical test species for use in toxicity testing in Trinidad and Tobago.