Welcome to the interactive web schedule for the 2019 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference! Please note, this event has passed. To return to the main Conference website, go to: www.midwestfw.org.
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CONFERENCE SCHEDULE UPDATES & CHANGES: As a result of the prolonged government shutdown, we experienced a number of cancellations and changes to the schedule. Cancellations and changes are listed here (as of January 26, 2019).
AUTHORS. Ryan Seymour, Jessica Ward, Autum Auxier, Hannah Mullinax – Ball State University
ABSTRACT. Cyanobacteria are prevalent blue-green algae that impact Midwestern freshwater systems, important environmental and economic resources. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to neurotoxic compounds can induce sub-lethal behavioral and central nervous system (CNS) changes that have potential to affect individual fitness. The long-term goal of this research is to evaluate the significance of emerging algal neurotoxins for fish populations and aquatic communities. A first step toward this goal, this project used a low-dose, lab-controlled exposure regime to quantify the effects of 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA) on the sensorimotor performance of embryos, and 21-day-old larvae . Despite reports of impaired motor function in humans linked to the consumption of contaminated fish, the effects of these compounds on fish themselves is largely unknown. Embryo motor activity and prey capture efficiency decreased with increased exposures to the cyanotoxins. The results will fill critical gaps in knowledge regarding the short- and long-term effects of sub-lethal exposure to algal neurotoxins on fish and provide direct insight into the factors affecting routes of human exposure and health risks