Using Rotifers to Diagnosis the Ecological Impacts of Toxicants

Abstract

Rotifers continue to be useful in assessing toxicity in a variety of applications. Substantive advances on several ecotoxicological topics have been made since the last reviews of rotifers in ecotoxicology in 2011 and 2013. We review advances in understanding the impact of endocrine disruptors on rotifers, how bioconcentration of lead affects aquatic food webs, nanoparticle toxicity to rotifers, the toxicity of fine aerosols in the atmosphere, the toxicity of metabolites from human pharmaceuticals, and how toxicants modify the immune response of rotifers and their response to pathogens. Also discussed is the use of other rotifer species besides Brachionus in toxicity studies, as well as the presence of hormesis in rotifer dose-responses. The use of rotifers in drug discovery efforts screening for bioactive natural compounds is described, as is employing rotifers to quantify the toxicity of harmful algae blooms. Finally, we describe how rotifer toxicity tests were employed to assess the toxicity of crude oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and the consequences of treating spills with oil dispersants. All of these advances serve as examples that demonstrate how the use of rotifers in ecotoxicological studies continues to be an active and interesting area of research.