Antimycin-A species sensitivity distribution: perspectives for non-indigenous fish control
Abstract
Publication: U.S. Geological Survey via InvasivesNet
Gavin N. Saari’s 2023 study, Antimycin-A Species Sensitivity Distribution: Perspectives for Non-Indigenous Fish Control, analyzes the efficacy and environmental selectivity of Antimycin-A (ANT-A) as a tool for invasive fish management. ANT-A, once widely used in U.S. aquatic systems before its deregistration in 2017, disrupts cellular respiration in fish, making it an effective agent for population control.
Saari evaluated acute toxicity data from 34 fish species and 46 aquatic invertebrates using species sensitivity distributions (SSDs). Results reveal that fish are up to 193 times more sensitive to ANT-A than invertebrates, suggesting a potentially acceptable risk profile for use in targeted eradication efforts. Sensitivity varied among fish families, with salmonids being the most vulnerable.
The research also highlights how environmental variables—especially water pH, temperature, and fish size—affect ANT-A toxicity. Lower pH levels increase toxicity by boosting ANT-A’s bioavailability, while higher temperatures and smaller fish sizes further intensify its effects. By adjusting for pH, Saari improved hazard concentration accuracy (HC20 values), refining the SSD approach.
The study supports the use of ANT-A under controlled, environmentally-informed conditions and encourages the development of selective delivery systems like baiting to minimize non-target impacts—offering practical insights for invasive species control programs.
