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Micro/Nanoplastics Alter Daphnia magna Life History by Disrupting Glucose Metabolism and Intestinal Structure
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Micro- and nanoplastics disrupted the life history of Daphnia magna (water fleas) by interfering with hormonal signaling pathways. These findings demonstrate that plastic particles can act as endocrine disruptors in aquatic invertebrates, with potential cascading effects on freshwater food webs.
Microplastic pollution poses growing risks to aquatic zooplankton, yet its impact on Daphnia magna life history remains incompletely understood. This study explored the influences of micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) on D. magna by exposing organisms to size- and concentration-varied microplastics, tracking microplastic distribution via fluorescence imaging. Results demonstrated significant microplastic-induced impairments in growth and reproduction. Gut microbiota analysis revealed microplastic-altered microbial communities, with functional prediction identifying disrupted glucose metabolism as a key driver of life-history changes. Intestinal structure observations further showed microplastic-accelerated aging. Collectively, our findings highlight that microplastic accumulation in D. magna disrupts gut microbiota and tissue integrity, ultimately impairing life-history traits. These alterations in growth and gut characteristics of D. magna may further propagate through the aquatic food web, potentially damaging the intestinal structure and function of plankton communities. Given the pivotal role of zooplankton in nutrient cycling and energy transfer, our findings underscore that microplastic-induced disruptions in key species like D. magna could threaten the stability and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.
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Effects of microplastics on key reproductive and biochemical endpoints of the freshwater microcrustacean Daphnia magna
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Researchers studied how microplastics affect reproduction and biochemistry in the freshwater water flea Daphnia magna, a widely used indicator species. They found that microplastic exposure led to changes in reproductive output and altered key biochemical markers in these small crustaceans. The study suggests that even tiny plastic particles can disrupt important biological functions in freshwater organisms that form the base of aquatic food webs.
Effects of Microplastics on Reproduction and Growth of Freshwater Live Feeds Daphnia magna
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Researchers found that microplastic exposure negatively affected reproduction and juvenile growth in Daphnia magna, a key freshwater zooplankton species, with effects worsening at higher concentrations and posing risks for aquatic food chains.
Tissue translocation, multigenerational and population effects of microplastics in Daphnia magna
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This study examined how microplastics are taken up by the water flea Daphnia magna and whether exposure causes multigenerational effects, finding that microplastics can accumulate in body tissues and pass to offspring. The results suggest microplastic pollution poses risks not just to exposed individuals but can affect population health across generations.
Ingestion of micro- and nanoplastics in Daphnia magna – Quantification of body burdens and assessment of feeding rates and reproduction
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Researchers used a quantitative approach to measure how the water flea Daphnia magna ingests and excretes micro- and nanoplastic particles of different sizes. They found that larger 2-micrometer particles were ingested in greater mass than 100-nanometer particles, and that complete excretion did not occur within 24 hours. Chronic exposure reduced feeding rates and reproduction, suggesting that ongoing microplastic exposure could have meaningful ecological consequences for these important freshwater organisms.
Alterations in swimming behavior of Daphnia exposed to polymer and mineral particles: towards understanding effects of microplastics on planktonic filtrators
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This study examined how microplastics affect the swimming behavior of Daphnia (water fleas), finding that these filter-feeders are impaired even when exposed to plastic particles of low nutritional value — suggesting microplastics can compromise aquatic invertebrate health through mechanisms beyond simple malnutrition.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.