Page 76 - 《水产学报》2025年第7期

张子焜，等 水产学报, 2025, 49(7): 079106

Effects of phenanthrene stress on locomotor activity, anxiety-like
and social behaviors in Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

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ZHANG Zikun , XU Huan , GAO Yongyong , GAO Xiaoge , TANG Xu , LEI Xin 1,2*
1. School of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China;
2. Yan'an Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China
Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic pollutants widely present in aquatic environments.
Phenanthrene (Phe), a notable PAH, has attracted significant attention due to its environmental toxicity and bioaccumulation
potential. Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, an important freshwater aquaculture species in China, was used as the model organism
to study the effects of Phe stress on locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, and social behavior. The experiment established
four Phe concentration treatment groups (0.2, 1.0, 5.0, and 25.0 μg/L) for toxicity exposure. Behavioral changes were assessed
at 15, 30, and 45 days of exposure, as well as after a 30-day recovery period. An animal behavior tracking system recorded
velocity, turn angle, angular velocity, cumulative duration time ratio in black and white areas, and cumulative duration time
ratio in social and non-social areas. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analyzed the effects of Phe stress duration and
concentration on behavioral indicators. Phe stress significantly affected the locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, and social
behavior of M. anguillicaudatus: Locomotor behavior. At 15 days of exposure, the velocity of M. anguillicaudatus signific-
antly increased in the 0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 μg/L Phe groups. By 45 days, velocity significantly decreased in the 1.0 μg/L group but
increased in the 25.0 μg/L group. The turn angle significantly decreased in the 0.2 μg/L group at 15 days, while angular velo-
city significantly increased in the 1.0 μg/L group. In the 5.0 and 25.0 μg/L groups at 30 days, both turn angle and angular velo-
city significantly increased. GLMM analysis revealed that exposure time had a highly significant effect on velocity, while con-
centration significantly influenced turn angle and angular velocity. After 30 days of recovery, velocity in the 1.0, 5.0, and
25.0 μg/L groups remained significantly higher than in controls, and turn angle and angular velocity in the 5.0 μg/L group
stayed elevated, indicating lasting impacts on directional changes. Anxiety-like behavior. At 15 days, the cumulative duration
time ratio in the black area significantly decreased in the 0.2 μg/L group but increased in the 1.0 μg/L group. By 30 days, the
ratio significantly increased in the 25.0 μg/L group, and at 45 days, it increased in the 1.0 and 5.0 μg/L groups. GLMM con-
firmed that exposure time had a highly significant impact on anxiety-like behavior. After recovery, all treatment groups showed
a significantly higher cumulative duration time ratio in the black area compared to controls, suggesting persistent anxiety-like
effects. Social behavior. At 15 days, the cumulative duration time ratio in the social area significantly decreased in the 0.2 and
25.0 μg/L groups. By 30 days, the ratio in the non-social area significantly increased in the 1.0 μg/L group, and at 45 days, it
decreased in the 5.0 μg/L group. GLMM indicated that Phe concentration had a highly significant effect on social behavior.
After recovery, the 5.0 and 25.0 μg/L groups still exhibited a significantly higher ratio in the non-social area, demonstrating
persistent and irreversible social inhibition. Phe stress exhibited time- and concentration-dependent effects on M. anguilli-
caudatus. Short-term exposure to low-concentration Phe inhibited turning ability, while long-term exposure to higher concen-
trations increased turning ability and velocity. Phe stress significantly induced anxiety-like behavior and suppressed social
behavior, with these changes showing persistence and irreversibility. This study provides insights for assessing the ecological
risks of Phe, establishing water quality standards based on fish behavior, and improving monitoring techniques for PAHs in
aquaculture environments.
Key words: Misgurnus anguillicaudatus; phenanthrene; locomotor activity; anxiety behavior; social behavior; toxic effects
Corresponding author: LEI Xin. E-mail: leizz66@126.com

Funding projects: National Natural Science Foundation of China (31960113); Natural Science Basic Research Plan of Shaanxi
(2025JC-YBMS-202)

中国水产学会主办 sponsored by China Society of Fisheries https://www.china-fishery.cn
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