Lethal Effects of Leaf Leachate from the Non-Native Invasive Shrub Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) on a Model Aquatic Organism (Hyalella azteca)

Author(s)

Eric B. Borth, University of DaytonFollow
Kevin W. Custer, University of Dayton
Ryan W. McEwan, University of DaytonFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-28-2018

Publication Source

Écoscience

Abstract

The invasive shrub Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) is a problematic species in the eastern United States and there is growing evidence that materials from this species have toxic effects on some organisms. We used a sequence of microcosm bioassays to assess the influence of L. maackii leaf leachate on the macroinvertebrate Hyalella azteca, which is a standard aquatic organism for toxicity assessment. In a laboratory setting, H. azteca were exposed to a leaf leachate dilution series (6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 100%) in 48-h toxicity tests. This was repeated throughout the growing season to assess the potential for changes in leaf toxicity due to phenology. Strong toxic effects were found when H. azteca was exposed to a L. maackii leachate from autumn (P < 0.05) and, in fact, all organisms died when exposed to any level of concentration in most trials. Mean percent survival also decreased significantly in all dilutions in the spring (P < 0.05 for all treatments); however, little toxicity was detected in growing season trials. These results suggest (a) strong toxic effects of L. maackii foliage on a model aquatic organism that (b) varies throughout the year, potentially in relationship to biochemical changes associated with phenology.

ISBN/ISSN

1195-6860

Document Version

Postprint

Comments

The document available for download after a required 12-month embargo is the authors' accepted manuscript, provided in compliance with the publisher's policy on self-archiving. Permission documentation is on file.

To view the version of record, use the DOI provided.

Copyright

Copyright © 2018, Taylor & Francis

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Volume

25

Peer Reviewed

yes

Issue

1

Keywords

McEwan Laboratory, Phenology, ecological invasion, toxicity, allochthonous subsidy, terrestrial-aquatic linkages, allelopathy

Sponsoring Agency

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation (DEB: 1352995), the Ohio Invasive Plant Council (Research Grant) and the University of Dayton Honors Program (Thesis Fellowship).

eCommons Citation

Borth, Eric B.; Custer, Kevin W.; and McEwan, Ryan W., "Lethal Effects of Leaf Leachate from the Non-Native Invasive Shrub Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) on a Model Aquatic Organism (Hyalella azteca)" (2018). Biology Faculty Publications. 222.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/bio_fac_pub/222