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Short-Term Microplastics Exposure to the Common Mysid Shrimp, Americamysis bahia: Effects on Mortality and DNA Methylation
Summary
Researchers exposed mysid shrimp to fluorescent polystyrene microbeads at various concentrations and durations to assess effects on survival and DNA methylation patterns. While no significant mortality was observed, the study found changes in DNA methylation, suggesting potential epigenetic effects from microplastic exposure. Evidence indicates that microplastics may alter gene expression in marine organisms even at sub-lethal levels.
Primary consumers of microplastics are often zooplankton species such as the mysid shrimp, Americamysis bahia. Ingesting and interacting with these plastics can cause stress and lead to death. In the presence of some environmental stressors, gene expression may be altered without changing DNA sequences via the epigenetic methylation of the DNA. Mysid shrimp were exposed to 5-micrometer fluorescent polystyrene microbeads at different concentrations and different lengths of time. No significant effects were observed on mortality within 72 h, but mortality increased significantly thereafter. Microplastics were consumed by mysids and adhered to the mysid carapace and appendages. An ELISA-like (Enzyme-Linked Imuunosorbent Assay) colorimetric assay was employed to assess mysid DNA for differences in global percent methylation. No significant difference in the average percent methylated DNA nor difference in the number of methylation detections between treatments was found. This is one of few studies that has investigated DNA methylation effects due to microplastics-induced stress and the first study to detect DNA methylation in any member of the order Mysida.