Short-Term Microplastic Exposure Impairs Cognition in Hermit Crabs.
Animals (Basel)
; 13(6)2023 Mar 14.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36978596
ABSTRACT
We tested whether acute microplastic exposure impacts information gathering and processing (cognition) in hermit crabs (Pagurus bernhardus). For five days, we kept 51 hermit crabs in tanks containing either polyethylene microspheres (n = 27) or no plastic (n = 24). We then transferred individuals into an intermediate-quality shell and presented them with two vials containing either a better or worse shell. Because touching both shell vials required an equivalent behavioural response, this design controlled for general activity. Plastic-exposed hermit crabs were less likely and slower than controls to touch the better shell vial, instead preferring the worse shell vial. Microplastics, therefore, impaired assessments and decision-making, providing direct evidence of acute microplastic exposure disrupting hermit crab cognition.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Animals (Basel)
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido