Population relevance of toxicant mediated changes in sex ratio in fish: An assessment using an individual-based zebrafish (Danio rerio) model

Charles R.E. Hazlerigg, Charles R. Tyler, Kai Lorenzen, James R. Wheeler and Pernille Thorbek

Ecological Modelling, 2014, vol. 280, issue C, 76-88

Abstract: Ecological risk assessments (ERAs) of toxicants are predominantly based on data from laboratory tests on individuals. However, the protection goal is generally at the population level. Ecological modelling has the potential to link individual-level effects to population-level outcomes. Here we developed an individual-based zebrafish population model to study the possible population-level relevance of toxicant-mediated changes in sex ratio. The model was structured with sub-models based on empirical data (e.g. growth, reproduction, mortality) derived from a combination of our own laboratory and field experiments, the literature and theoretical concepts. The outputs of the default model were validated against size distributions for wild populations of zebrafish sampled in Bangladesh. Sensitivity analysis showed that population abundance was most sensitive to changes in density-dependent survival and the availability of refugia for juveniles.

Keywords: Ecological risk assessment; Endocrine disrupting chemicals; Ecological modelling; Density dependence; Population regulation; Fish ecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:280:y:2014:i:c:p:76-88

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2013.12.016

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