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Neurological Effects On Startle Response And Escape From Predation By Medaka Exposed To Organic Chemicals, Steven P. Bradbury, Richard W. Carlson, Robert A. Drummond, Dean E. Hammermeister

Steven P. Bradbury

Simultaneous electrophysiological and behavioral studies were performed on 21–32 day old juvenile medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed at sublethal concentrations to organic chemicals representing various modes of action. Non-invasive recordings were made of the electrical impulses generated within giant neuronal Mauthner cells, associated interneurons and motoneurons, and axial musculature, all of which initiate the startle or ‘escape’ response in fish. Timing in ms between these electrical sequelae was measured for each fish before and after 24 and 48 h exposure to a chemical. Carbaryl and phenol affected Mauthner cell to motoneuron transmission while chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, phenol and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) showed neuromuscular …