Les fumonisines (FBs) sont les principales mycotoxines produites par Fusarium verticillioides et Fusarium proliferatum, qui se retrouvent partout dans le monde dans le maïs et ses produits dérivés. Les doses toxiques et les signes cliniques de toxicité provoqués par les FBs varient dune espèce à lautre. La toxicité des FBs est généralement liée à leur capacité à bloquer le métabolisme des sphingolipides chez les espèces animales, y compris chez les espèces aviaires. De précédentes études ont démontré que les canards présentent une plus grande sensibilité à la toxicité des FBs que les dindes, alors que laccumulation de sphinganine (Sa) dans les tissues est plus importante chez les dindes que chez les canards. Lobjectif de nos travaux était de comprendre les différences de toxicité entre les dindes et les canards los dune exposition aux FBs. Les trois hypothèses suivantes ont été explorées : i) La toxicocinétique de la fumonisine B2 chez les dindes et les canards. ii) La capacité des cellules aviaires à se protéger de limportante accumulation de sphingolipides libres en augmentant leur catabolisme (phosphorylation). iii) Des mécanismes de toxicité des FBs autre que leur altération via le métabolisme des sphingolipides (stress oxydatif et les réponses inflammatoires). Lanalyse des paramètres de toxicocinétique de la fumonisine B2 na pas mis en évidence de différence significative entre les dindes et les canards. Les mesures de la toxicité simultanée de plusieurs FBs chez les dindes et les canards ont confirmé la forte sensibilité des canards. Laccumulation de shingasine-1-phosphate (Sa1P) dans le foie a également été corrélée avec la quantité de Sa mais pas avec les paramètres hépatiques de toxicité. De plus cette étude a mis en évidence que la quantité de Sa dans le foie était fortement dépendante de la teneur en FBs. Cependant les FBs nont eu aucun effet sur les paramètres de stress oxydatif pour les deux espèces. De manière intéressante, les FBs ont eu une légère réponse inflammatoire chez les canards mais pas chez les dindes. Des investigations plus poussées sur les effets des FBs sur le métabolisme des céramides et sur les processus inflammatoires seraient nécessaires pour comprendre les différences de toxicité entre les dindes et les canards exposés aux FBs. / Fumonisins (FBs) are the major mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum, which are found worldwide in maize and maize products. FBs toxic dose and clinical signs of toxicity vary from one species to another. FBs toxicity is commonly linked to their ability on blocking sphingolipids metabolism in all animal species, including avian species. Previous studies have demonstrated that ducks exhibit higher sensitivity to FBs toxicity than turkeys, whereas, the accumulation of sphinganine (Sa) in tissues is more pronounced in turkeys than in ducks. The objectives of our works were to investigate the causes which lead to different toxicity between ducks and turkeys to FBs exposure. The following three hypotheses were investigated: i) Toxicokinetics of fumonisin B2 in ducks and turkeys. ii) Ability of bird cells to protect themselves against high accumulation of free sphingolipids by increasing their catabolism (phosphorylation). iii) Other toxicity mechanisms of FBs rather than their alteration of sphingolipids metabolism (oxidative stress damage and inflammatory responses). The analysis of toxicokinetic parameters of fumonisin B2 did not provide a significant difference between ducks and turkeys. The measurement of simultaneous toxicity of FBs in ducks and turkeys confirmed higher sensibility of ducks. Also the accumulation of Sphingasine-1-Phosphate (Sa1P) in the liver correlated with the amount of Sa but not parameters of hepatic toxicity. Moreover, this study revealed that the amount of Sa in the liver was strongly dependent on the amount of FBs. On the other hand, FBs had no effect on oxidative damages parameters in both species. Interestingly, FBs had mild inflammatory response effect in ducks but not in turkeys. Further investigation on the effects of FBs on ceramide metabolism and inflammatory processes would be necessary to understand the different toxicity between ducks and turkeys to FBs exposure.

L’écotoxicité de nanoparticules de dioxyde de cérium (CeO2 NP) en milieu dulçaquicole a été évaluée à l’aide (i) d’essais monospécifiques standardisés et (ii) de chaînes trophiques expérimentales exposées en microcosme. Aucune toxicité n’a été observée chez Nitzschia palea et Chironomus riparius en conditions monopsécifiques. Une inhibition de croissance a été observée chez les amphibiens Xenopus laevis et Pleurodeles waltl., ainsi qu’une toxicité aiguë chez le xénope et une génotoxicité dose-dépendante chez le pleurodèle. Les expositions en microcosme ont mis en évidence une toxicité aiguë chez le pleurodèle, des modifications des communautés bactériennes, une diminution de la décomposition de la litière, ainsi que des effets tératogènes chez le chironome. Les effets observés varient suivant la nature des CeO2 NP étudiées. L’utilisation d’un système biologique complexe permet l’étude des mécanismes de toxicité dans des conditions plus représentatives des conditions environnementales. / The ecotoxicity of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) was studied on freshwater organisms (i) in standardized monospecific conditions and (ii) on experimental trophic chains exposed in microcosms. No toxicity was observed on Nitzschia palea and Chironomus riparius in monospecific conditions. Growth inhibition was observed on the amphibian species Xenopus laevis and Pleurodeles waltl., as well as acute toxicity and dose-dependent genotoxicity observed on Xenopus and Pleurodeles, respectively. Microcosm experiments revealed acute effects on Pleurodeles, changes in bacterial communities, a decrease in leaf litter decomposition and teratogenicity on chironomids. The observed effects vary depending on the type of CeO2 NPs. The use of complex biological system enables the study of toxicity mechanisms in environmentally relevant conditions.

Antibiotics are essential drugs in modern medicine. After consumption antibiotics are excreted in unmetabolized form in the urine and reach our sewage treatment plants (STP). STP are not able to degrade all antibiotics leading to release of antibiotics into the aquatic environment. Aquatic animals are thus continuously exposed to antibiotics. This study involved assessment of the toxicity of eight antibiotics previously detected in the river Fyrisån, Uppsala, Sweden, in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos up to day six of age. The experiments included assessment of embryonal toxicity for the individual antibiotics as well as mixtures of all antibiotics.  The mixtures were based on previously measured concentrations in river Fyrisån and tested in increasing concentrations up to 1000-times higher concentrations. In the toxicity assessment different lethal and sublethal endpoints were observed, such as early movements, heart rate, hatching time and length. These experiments were followed by behaviour study observing the swimming activity during alternating dark-light alternations. Lastly, a bioaccumulation study was performed on mixtures of antibiotics to determine if these antibiotics were bioaccumulative in zebrafish embryos. The results showed that these eight antibiotics, individually and as a mixture did not affect any of the endpoints. As for bioaccumulation, none of the eight antibiotics were bioaccumulating in zebrafish embryos. These antibiotics seem to be non-toxic during fish embryonal development. However, the results cannot determine the long-term effects of antibiotic exposure and thus further studies are needed to assess the potential toxicity of environmentally present antibiotics to fish.

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The ecotoxicological literature reveals that countless researchers worldwide rely upon informally identified commercial earthworm stocks for laboratory bioassays. The primary aim of this study was to investigate laboratory and commercial stocks of Eisenia species used in South Africa in order to confirm their taxonomy, assess their levels of genetic richness and differentiation. To do so, populations of potential Eisenia andrei and Eisenia fetida were purchased/obtained from vermiculturists and laboratories from four provinces of South Africa. DNA barcoding was used to investigate these taxonomic uncertainties. The COI gene was partially amplified and sequenced in selected earthworms from eight local populations (focal groups) and two European laboratory stocks (non-focal groups). Only nine COI haplotypes were identified from the 224 sequences generated. One of these haplotypes was found to belong to the Megascolecidae Perionyx excavatus. The remaining eight haplotypes belonged to the genus Eisenia although only a single Eisenia fetida haplotype, represented by six specimens, was found in one of the European populations. The other seven haplotypes, all occurring in South Africa, were Eisenia andrei. No Eisenia fetida was found in the South African based populations. One of the commercial stocks from South Africa and a laboratory culture from Europe were mixes of E. andrei - P. excavatus and E. andrei – E. fetida respectively. COI haplotype numbers were limited to two to three distinct sequences within each of the local groups. This translated into a haplotype diversity (H) lower than 0.45 in all the populations, which is very low when compared to other such earthworm studies in which COI polymorphism has been investigated. Of all the local populations investigated, only the lone field population included was genetically divergent from the other populations. This was explained by the haplotype distribution across the populations which indicated that this population was the only one not harbouring the haplotype which represented 75% or more of the COI sequences within the local populations. Because research suggests that earthworm populations with limited genetic diversity may suffer inbreeding depression which could affect traits such as reproduction and survival, the secondary aim was to test whether metal-sensitive earthworms were overly present in the populations investigated. To do so, the three most common COI haplotypes identified between the 8 local populations of E. andrei (called Hap1, Hap2 and Hap3) were paired up and exposed to cadmium. A total of six couples were exposed to 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg Cd/kg for 4 weeks at 20ºC. The survival, biomass variation, cocoon production and cocoon hatching success were assessed for all the couples. The results indicated that couple 6 (Hap3xHap3) was the most sensitive for three of the endpoints assessed whereas couple 4 (Hap1 x Hap3) was the least sensitive. Cocoon hatching success could not help differentiate the couples. The analysis of Cd tissue contents revealed that with increasing Cd concentration, Cp6 (Hap3xHap3) could accumulate significantly more Cd than any other couple (p ≤ 0.01). These findings indicate that earthworm populations may carry intrinsically metal-tolerant and metal-sensitive genotypes. In the context of ecotoxicological testing, the present results underline the importance of using genetically diverse populations in laboratory testing as Cp6 (Hap3xHap3) could have suffered from the deleterious effect of inbreeding. Because E. fetida could not be found in the local populations assessed, it is recommended that further earthworm DNA barcoding studies, covering a more representative geographical area of South Africa and including more field populations of Eisenia spp. be conducted. Because of the occurrence of genetic homogeneity in the populations studied, it is suggested that captive breeding initiatives be established using specimens obtained from several geographically distant field and reared populations. Further research investigating patterns of Cd accumulation/excretion kinetics between the Cd-tolerant and Cd-sensitive individuals reported in the present study, should be conducted to help determine whether inbreeding is the sole factor explaining the observed genotypic responses to Cd. Finally, the necessity of a standardised earthworm barcoding protocol that could help both to properly identify laboratory earthworm stocks and to select genetically diverse stocks suitable for laboratory testing, is discussed together with the relevance of the present work to ecotoxicological testing in general. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The ecotoxicological literature reveals that countless researchers worldwide rely upon informally identified commercial earthworm stocks for laboratory bioassays. The primary aim of this study was to investigate laboratory and commercial stocks of Eisenia species used in South Africa in order to confirm their taxonomy, assess their levels of genetic richness and differentiation. To do so, populations of potential Eisenia andrei and Eisenia fetida were purchased/obtained from vermiculturists and laboratories from four provinces of South Africa. DNA barcoding was used to investigate these taxonomic uncertainties. The COI gene was partially amplified and sequenced in selected earthworms from eight local populations (focal groups) and two European laboratory stocks (non-focal groups). Only nine COI haplotypes were identified from the 224 sequences generated. One of these haplotypes was found to belong to the Megascolecidae Perionyx excavatus. The remaining eight haplotypes belonged to the genus Eisenia although only a single Eisenia fetida haplotype, represented by six specimens, was found in one of the European populations. The other seven haplotypes, all occurring in South Africa, were Eisenia andrei. No Eisenia fetida was found in the South African based populations. One of the commercial stocks from South Africa and a laboratory culture from Europe were mixes of E. andrei - P. excavatus and E. andrei – E. fetida respectively. COI haplotype numbers were limited to two to three distinct sequences within each of the local groups. This translated into a haplotype diversity (H) lower than 0.45 in all the populations, which is very low when compared to other such earthworm studies in which COI polymorphism has been investigated. Of all the local populations investigated, only the lone field population included was genetically divergent from the other populations. This was explained by the haplotype distribution across the populations which indicated that this population was the only one not harbouring the haplotype which represented 75% or more of the COI sequences within the local populations. Because research suggests that earthworm populations with limited genetic diversity may suffer inbreeding depression which could affect traits such as reproduction and survival, the secondary aim was to test whether metal-sensitive earthworms were overly present in the populations investigated. To do so, the three most common COI haplotypes identified between the 8 local populations of E. andrei (called Hap1, Hap2 and Hap3) were paired up and exposed to cadmium. A total of six couples were exposed to 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg Cd/kg for 4 weeks at 20ºC. The survival, biomass variation, cocoon production and cocoon hatching success were assessed for all the couples. The results indicated that couple 6 (Hap3xHap3) was the most sensitive for three of the endpoints assessed whereas couple 4 (Hap1 x Hap3) was the least sensitive. Cocoon hatching success could not help differentiate the couples. The analysis of Cd tissue contents revealed that with increasing Cd concentration, Cp6 (Hap3xHap3) could accumulate significantly more Cd than any other couple (p ≤ 0.01). These findings indicate that earthworm populations may carry intrinsically metal-tolerant and metal-sensitive genotypes. In the context of ecotoxicological testing, the present results underline the importance of using genetically diverse populations in laboratory testing as Cp6 (Hap3xHap3) could have suffered from the deleterious effect of inbreeding. Because E. fetida could not be found in the local populations assessed, it is recommended that further earthworm DNA barcoding studies, covering a more representative geographical area of South Africa and including more field populations of Eisenia spp. be conducted. Because of the occurrence of genetic homogeneity in the populations studied, it is suggested that captive breeding initiatives be established using specimens obtained from several geographically distant field and reared populations. Further research investigating patterns of Cd accumulation/excretion kinetics between the Cd-tolerant and Cd-sensitive individuals reported in the present study, should be conducted to help determine whether inbreeding is the sole factor explaining the observed genotypic responses to Cd. Finally, the necessity of a standardised earthworm barcoding protocol that could help both to properly identify laboratory earthworm stocks and to select genetically diverse stocks suitable for laboratory testing, is discussed together with the relevance of the present work to ecotoxicological testing in general. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

A snapshot of the current state of the business world is given, followed by the proposition that people are the root cause of the problems therein. Mutual influence between individual and organisation is depicted. The corporate psychopath is identified as being especially problematic. Therefore measures to prevent the recruitment of psychopaths into organisations will be studied. The objectives of this research report are: • To establish whether South African organisations are aware of the problems caused by psychopaths. • To establish what screening processes are in place in South African organisations to identify psychopaths. • To suggest additional measures that would prevent the recruitment of psychopaths into organisations.