Abstract

Daphnia magna is used as a model organism to study the consequences of the impact of mutagenic chemicals to natural populations. In order to use D.magna as a model organism in mutagenicity research, proper test parameters had to be selected first. These parameters should be indicative of a relevant effect on the population after exposure to a mutagenic chemical. In a literature study several D.magna fitness parameters were examined. The phototactic respons and life-history parameters seemed to be suitable parameters. The life history parameters of five genetically different clones were examined experimentally to test whether these parameters can be used to distinguish between genetically different daphnids. The results showed that life-history parameters are the most promising test parameters to measure the possibly adverse effects on daphnids that are exposed to a mutagenic compound.