engleski

A new approach in biomonitoring freshwater ecosystems based on the genetic status of the bioindicator Dreissena polymorpha

Evolutionary toxicology investigates population genetic effects caused by environmental contamination. Toxicant inputs of increasing industry, agriculture and fast growing cities have severely modified freshwater ecosystems. These anthropogenic stressors are expected to influence DNA and chromosomal integrity as well as population genetic patterns, so that, e.g., a recent reduction in genetic diversity would be indicative of deteriorating environmental conditions. Genetic diversity could therefore be applied as a biomarker for the condition of freshwater ecosystems in a biomonitoring system. The zebra mussel is a common bioindicator for biomonitoring freshwater ecosystems. Here, we suggest a novel approach to establish the genetic status of zebra mussel populations as an indicator of environmental condition. In this strategy, the well-established techniques of comet assay, micronucleus test and microsatellite analysis will be combined to assess the health of freshwater habitats.

ecotoxicology, population genetics, genetic diversity, microsatellites, biomonitoring, genotoxicity, comet assay, micronucleus test

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