Tissue Changes In Puffers Exposed To Methoxychlor And Methyl Parathion

Adult northern puffers were exposed for periods up to 45 days to either 30 parts per billion (ppb) of the organochloride insecticide methoxychlor, 20, 200 ppb of the organophosphorous insecticide methyl parathion, or to a combination of 15 ppb of methoxychlor and 10, 100 ppb of methyl parathion. These concentrations will produce approximately 5 percent mortality in 96 hours under the conditions of the experiment. Profiles were constructed on the effects of each insecticide on blood and tissue components. The visual patterns provided by these profiles suggest a means of identifying unfavorable environmental conditions before the appearence of obvious morphological or physiological changes.