Behavioral Toxicology Laboratory — Columbia, Missouri. Screen shot of a computer monitor from a video recording setup from a swimming behavior experimental swimming behavior assay system. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists can record swimming activity of multiple treatments simultaneously in the swimming behavior assay.
Holly Puglis, PhD
Dr. Holly Puglis is a Research Ecologist with the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Science and Products
Behavioral Toxicology Core Technology Team
Do Trace Metal Concentrations in the Upper Columbia River Affect Early Life Stage White Sturgeon?
Energy Integrated Science Team
Clothianidin Exposure Associated with Changes in Tadpole Behavior
Water chemistry and biological data of Rainbow Trout following aquatic exposure to weathered wildland fire retardants after application to substrate
Biological and chemical data from laboratory toxicity exposures of wildland fire retardants to Rainbow Trout
Biological and chemical data from attenuated and pulsed exposures of fire chemical to fish
Biological and chemical data from chloride bioassays with native wetland species in natural and reconstituted Prairie Pothole waters
Behavioral Effects of Copper on Larval White Sturgeon
Widespread Legacy Brine Contamination from Oil Shales Reduces Survival of Chorus Frog Larvae-Data
Behavioral Toxicology Laboratory — Columbia, Missouri. Screen shot of a computer monitor from a video recording setup from a swimming behavior experimental swimming behavior assay system. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists can record swimming activity of multiple treatments simultaneously in the swimming behavior assay.
Toxicity of wildland fire retardants to rainbow trout in short exposures
Ammonia and aquatic ecosystems – A review of global sources, biogeochemical cycling, and effects on fish
Toxicity of wildland fire-fighting chemicals in pulsed exposures to rainbow trout and fathead minnows
Chloride toxicity to native freshwater species in natural and reconstituted prairie pothole waters
Predicting the spatiotemporal exposure of aquatic species to intrusions of fire retardant in streams with limited data
Copper concentrations in the upper Columbia River as a limiting factor in White Sturgeon recruitment and recovery
Effects of the neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin on southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) tadpole behavior
Behavioral effects of copper on larval white sturgeon
Potential toxicity of dissolved metal mixtures (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) to early life stage white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Upper Columbia River, Washington, United States
Widespread legacy brine contamination from oil production reduces survival of chorus frog larvae
Sensitivity of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) early life stages to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin and 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl
Quantifying fish swimming behavior in response to acute exposure of aqueous copper using computer assisted video and digital image analysis
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
- Science
Behavioral Toxicology Core Technology Team
About the Research. The Environmental Health Program supports scientists in the Behavioral Toxicology Core Technology Team (CTT) at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. The scientists identify how contaminants alter the behavior of organisms and what implication those changes may have on individuals, populations, and communities.Do Trace Metal Concentrations in the Upper Columbia River Affect Early Life Stage White Sturgeon?
To understand if contaminants are associated with white sturgeon population declines, U.S. Geological Survey scientists reviewed the life history, physiology, and behavior of white sturgeon, along with recent toxicological studies and existing trace metal data for locations in the Columbia River. The analysis indicated that the highest concentrations of copper and other metals in the Columbia...Energy Integrated Science Team
The Energy Lifecycle Integrated Science Team focuses on the potential for contaminant exposures in the environment that might originate from energy resource activities including, extraction, production, transportation, storage, extraction, waste management and restoration. Perceived health risks to humans and other organisms will be distinguished from actual risks, if any. If actual risks are...Clothianidin Exposure Associated with Changes in Tadpole Behavior
During a laboratory exposure study, tadpole movement decreased with increased concentrations of clothianidin, a neonicotinoid pesticide. Decreased movement could affect a tadpole’s ability to forage, escape predation, and metamorphose before ponds dry. - Data
Water chemistry and biological data of Rainbow Trout following aquatic exposure to weathered wildland fire retardants after application to substrate
We investigated whether the length of time fire chemical weathers on a terrestrial substrate before mixing into aquatic environments alters the chemical’s toxicity when encountered by juvenile rainbow trout. We also looked at whether the type of substrate where the chemical is applied affects its toxicity to juvenile rainbow trout after mixing into water. Two fire chemicals (Phos Chek LC95A-R andBiological and chemical data from laboratory toxicity exposures of wildland fire retardants to Rainbow Trout
We measured Survival endpoints for juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in response to exposure to wildland fire retardants. Exposures were less than 24 hours. We documented time to mortality hourly through 12 hours of exposure and again at 24 hours. This data set includes data for three current use fire retardants from the US Forest Service Qualified Products List (Phos-Chek 259-Fx, Phos-Biological and chemical data from attenuated and pulsed exposures of fire chemical to fish
Survival endpoints for juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) in response to exposure to wildland firefighting chemicals. Exposures were either attenuated or pulsed. For attenuated exposures, chemical treatment was applied at the beginning of the exposure and control water was added for the duration of the assay so chemical concentration gradually deBiological and chemical data from chloride bioassays with native wetland species in natural and reconstituted Prairie Pothole waters
Biological endpoints for three focal test species [Daphnia magna (mortality), Psuedacris maculata (mortality, growth, and development), and Lemna gibba (growth)] in response to exposure to reconstituted or field-collected water under laboratory conditions. Field-collected waters were collected from wetlands within the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the United States. Reconstituted water was mixedBehavioral Effects of Copper on Larval White Sturgeon
Attributes regarding the effects of copper exposure on larval white sturgeon swimming and feeding behaviors and time to response.Widespread Legacy Brine Contamination from Oil Shales Reduces Survival of Chorus Frog Larvae-Data
Advances in drilling technique have facilitated a rapid increase in hydrocarbon extraction from energy shales, including the Williston Basin in central North America. This area overlaps with the Prairie Pothole Region and greater than 35% of wetlands are less than or equal to 1 km from a petroleum-related well. Legacy practices often released saline co-produced waters (brines) that were chloride r - Multimedia
Video recording setup from a swimming behavior assay systemVideo recording setup from a swimming behavior assay system
Behavioral Toxicology Laboratory — Columbia, Missouri. Screen shot of a computer monitor from a video recording setup from a swimming behavior experimental swimming behavior assay system. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists can record swimming activity of multiple treatments simultaneously in the swimming behavior assay.
Behavioral Toxicology Laboratory — Columbia, Missouri. Screen shot of a computer monitor from a video recording setup from a swimming behavior experimental swimming behavior assay system. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists can record swimming activity of multiple treatments simultaneously in the swimming behavior assay.
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 14
Toxicity of wildland fire retardants to rainbow trout in short exposures
Long-term wildland fire retardants are one important tool used to control and suppress wildfires. During suppression activities, these retardants may enter waterbodies; thus, there is a need to understand their potential effects to aquatic biota. We investigated the effect of three current-use wildland fire retardants to juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) survival in short exposures moreAuthorsHolly J. Puglis, Michael G. IacchettaAmmonia and aquatic ecosystems – A review of global sources, biogeochemical cycling, and effects on fish
The purpose of this review is to better understand the full life cycle and influence of ammonia from an aquatic biology perspective. While ammonia has toxic properties in water and air, it also plays a central role in the biogeochemical nitrogen (N) cycle and regulates mechanisms of normal and abnormal fish physiology. Additionally, as the second most synthesized chemical on Earth, ammonia contribAuthorsThea Margaret Edwards, Holly J. Puglis, Jonathan Lopez Duran, Lillian Bradshaw, Douglas B. Kent, Aida FaragToxicity of wildland fire-fighting chemicals in pulsed exposures to rainbow trout and fathead minnows
Intrusions of fire-fighting chemicals in streams can result from containment and suppression of wildfires and may be harmful to native biota. We investigated the toxicity of seven current-use fire-fighting chemicals to juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) by simulating chemical intrusions under variable field conditions to provide insight on the poAuthorsHolly J. Puglis, Michael G. Iacchetta, Christina M. MackeyChloride toxicity to native freshwater species in natural and reconstituted prairie pothole waters
Oil and gas extraction in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the northern USA has resulted in elevated chloride concentrations in ground and surface water due to widespread contamination with highly saline produced water, or brine. The toxicity of chloride is poorly understood in the high hardness waters characteristic of the region. We evaluated the toxicity of chloride to two endemic species, DAuthorsDavid Harper, Holly J. Puglis, Bethany K. Kunz, Aida FaragPredicting the spatiotemporal exposure of aquatic species to intrusions of fire retardant in streams with limited data
Because fire retardant can enter streams and harm aquatic species including endangered fish, agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) must estimate the downstream extent of toxic effects every time fire retardant enters streams (denoted as an “intrusion”). A challenge in estimating the length of stream affected by the intrusion and the exposure time of species in the affected reach is the lAuthorsChris R. Rehmann, P. Ryan Jackson, Holly J. PuglisCopper concentrations in the upper Columbia River as a limiting factor in White Sturgeon recruitment and recovery
Currently there is little natural recruitment of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Upper Columbia River located in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, USA. This review of life history, physiology, and behavior of white sturgeon, along with data from recent toxicological studies, suggest that trace metals, especially Cu, affect survival and behavior of early life stage fish. SturgAuthorsHolly J. Puglis, Aida Farag, Christopher A. MebaneEffects of the neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin on southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) tadpole behavior
Neonicotinoid insecticides are highly water soluble with relatively long half-lives, which allows them to move into and persist in aquatic ecosystems. However, little is known of the impacts of neonicotinoids on non-target vertebrates, especially at sublethal concentrations. We evaluated the effects of the neonicotinoid clothianidin on the behavior of southern leopard frog tadpoles (Rana sphenocepAuthorsJ. N. Holtswarth, F. E. Rowland, Holly J. Puglis, Michelle Hladik, Elisabeth B. WebbBehavioral effects of copper on larval white sturgeon
Early–life stage white sturgeon are sensitive to copper (Cu), with adverse behavioral responses observed during previous studies. The objectives of the present study were to quantify the effects of Cu exposure on white sturgeon swimming and feeding behaviors and determine their time to response. Larval sturgeon (1–2, 28, or 35 d posthatch [dph]) were exposed to Cu (0.5–8 μg/L) for 4 to 14 d. AbnorAuthorsHolly J. Puglis, Robin Calfee, Edward E. LittlePotential toxicity of dissolved metal mixtures (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) to early life stage white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Upper Columbia River, Washington, United States
The Upper Columbia River (UCR) received historical releases of smelter waste resulting in elevated metal concentrations in downstream sediments. Newly hatched white sturgeon hide within the rocky substrate at the sediment–water interface in the UCR for a few weeks before swim-up. Hiding behavior could expose them to metal contaminants, and metal toxicity could contribute to population declines inAuthorsLaurie S. Balistrieri, Christopher A. Mebane, Stephen E. Cox, Holly J. Puglis, Robin Calfee, Ning WangWidespread legacy brine contamination from oil production reduces survival of chorus frog larvae
Advances in drilling techniques have facilitated a rapid increase in hydrocarbon extraction from energy shales, including the Williston Basin in central North America. This area overlaps with the Prairie Pothole Region, a region densely populated with wetlands that provide numerous ecosystem services. Historical (legacy) disposal practices often released saline co-produced waters (brines) with higAuthorsBlake R. Hossack, Holly J. Puglis, William A. Battaglin, Chauncey W. Anderson, R. Ken Honeycutt, Kelly L. SmallingSensitivity of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) early life stages to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin and 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl
The aquatic food web of the Great Lakes has been contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) since the mid-20th century. Threats of PCB exposures to long-lived species of fish, such as lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), have been uncertain because of a lack of information on the relative sensitivity of the species. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity of earAuthorsDonald E. Tillitt, Justin A. Buckler, Diane Nicks, James Candrl, Rachel Claunch, Robert W. Gale, Holly J. Puglis, Edward E. Little, Tiffany L. Linbo, Mary BakerQuantifying fish swimming behavior in response to acute exposure of aqueous copper using computer assisted video and digital image analysis
Behavioral responses of aquatic organisms to environmental contaminants can be precursors of other effects such as survival, growth, or reproduction. However, these responses may be subtle, and measurement can be challenging. Using juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) with copper exposures, this paper illustrates techniques used for quantifying behavioral responses using computer assiAuthorsRobin Calfee, Holly J. Puglis, Edward E. Little, William G. Brumbaugh, Christopher A. MebaneNon-USGS Publications**
Puglis, H.J., and Boone, M.D., 2012, Effects of terrestrial buffer zones on amphibians on golf courses: PLOS ONE, v. 7, no. 6, p. e39590Ramirez, E.A., Puglis, H.J., Ritzenthaler, A., and Boone, M., 2012, Terrestrial movements and habitat preferences of male cricket frogs on a golf course: Copeia, v. 2012, no. 2, p. 191-196Puglis, H.J., and Boone, M.D., 2011, Effects of technical-grade active ingredient vs. commercial formulation of seven pesticides in the presence or absence of UV radiation on survival of green frog tadpoles: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, v. 60, no. 1, p. 145-155Ade, C.M., Boone, M.D., and Puglis, H.J., 2010, Effects of an insecticide and potential predators on green frogs and northern cricket frogs: Journal of Herpetology, v. 44, no. 4, p. 591-600
Puglis, H.J., and Boone, M.D., 2007, Effects of a fertilizer, an insecticide, and a pathogenic fungus on hatching and survival of bullfrog (Rana Catesbeiana) tadpoles: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 26, no. 10, p. 2198-2201
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.