Comparison of avoidance responses of an estuarine fish, Fundulus heteroclitus, and crustacean, Palaemonetes pugio, to bis (tri-n-butyltin) oxide

Abstract

Avoidance responses of an estuarine fish, mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), and crustacean, grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) to the antifoulant his (tri-n-butyltin) oxide (TBTO) were evaluated. Four out of six groups of mummichogs tested at 1.0 μg total organic Sn L⁻¹ showed avoidance. Total organic Sn concentrations of ≥ 3.7 μg L⁻¹ were avoided by this fish species in all cases. Higher concentrations of total organic Sn did not result in greater avoidance responses. Grass shrimp did not avoid total organic Sn concentrations between 2.3 and 30.0 μg L⁻¹. Response data at 2.3 and 30 μg L⁻¹ were similar. Mummichogs and grass shrimp differed greatly in their abilities to avoid potentially adverse concentrations of total organic Sn. Since mummichogs are major predators of grass shrimp, these behavioral responses may have important implications for tidal marsh ecosystems.