The effects of three phthalate esters on the larval development of the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio (Holthuis)

The effects of three phthalic acid esters, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) on survival and development rate of larvae of the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio were investigated. Only 100 ppm DMP and 10 to 50 ppm DBP were acutely toxic to the larvae. DMP at a concentration of 100 ppm significantly increased the duration of larval development to the first postlarval stage. DEHP concentrations up to 1 ppm (the solubility limit of this ester) were without effect on either survival or development rate of the larvae. Phthalate esters were not detectable at or above the 2 ppm level in the tissues of larvae chronically exposed to phthalates for the duration of larval development, suggesting active metabolism of phthalates by this species.