Locomotion and Behavioral Toxicity in Larval Zebrafish: Background, Methods, and Data - Zebrafish: Methods for Assessing Drug Safety and Toxicity - page 145

Chapter 12

Locomotion and Behavioral
Toxicity in Larval Zebrafish:
Background, Methods, and
Data*

Robert C. MacPhail 1 , Deborah L. Hunter 2 , Terra D. Irons 3 , and Stephanie Padilla 2
1 Toxicity Assessment Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research
Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
2 Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects
Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
3 Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

12.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter focuses on evaluating the behavior of very young (larval) zebrafish
(Danio rerio) and the effects of chemical exposures. The study of behavior in animals,
including humans, has always been popular, even to the casual observer. In everyday
life, we observe the behavior of all thosewe encounter, including pets. Our familiarity
with behavior has often proven to be an impediment, however, to creating a scientific
understanding of behavior (Kelleher and Morse, 1968) that is stripped of anecdotes
and casual observations that characterize everyday descriptions.

This manuscript has been reviewed by the National Health and Environmental Effects Research
Laboratory and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents reflect the views
of the Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.