EFFECTS OF UVR MOULTING PROCESS METABOLISM IN ZOOPLANKTON

SOUZA, MARÍA SOL; WOLINSKI , LAURA; MODENUTTI, BEATRIZ; BALSEIRO, ESTEBAN

Cordoba

Congreso; 16 International Congress of Photobiology; 2014

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) may cause physical damage to DNA, proteins and lipids in zooplankton. We have showed that even short-duration exposure to UVR causes the rapid activation of enzymes that prevent widespread of detrimental effects. However others enzymes non-linked to oxidative defences may be affected by UVR. Chitobiase is a chitinolytic enzyme involved in exoskeleton degradation and recycling during ecdysis in arthropods and, its activity can be used to follow the dynamics of arthropod populations. We are performing lab experiments to evaluate the impact of short exposure to UVR in this crucial enzyme with an experimental design mimicking possible field exposure patterns. Biological parameters related to survival, growth and fecundity are also consider. Early results indicate that UVR exposure impaired Chitobiase activity and alter the exuviae realese pattern indicating an impact in moulting process. In this study we show how the effect of UVR in a molecular endpoint may affect at different scale levels, causing a delay in moulting process, affecting the fitness of individuals, the population dynamics and, finally the community secondary production, all remarkable variables in ecological research focused in transfer of carbon and energy through the food web.