The Biological Action of Rotenone on Freshwater Animals

The physiological properties of rotenone have been extensively studied by Van Hasselt (1), Haag (2), and many others1. The history, distribution, and chemical properties of the alkaloid, which has been isolated as a white crystalline material (Greshoff, 5), are adequately reviewed by Leonard (4) and also by Van Hasselt and Haag. Rotenone first attracted scientific attention when it was found that preparations of powdered derris root had excellent insecticidal properties. Subsequent experiments were devised to test its action on various vertebrate animals, in order to make certain that the lethal concentration for insects would not be deleterious to humans, even after prolonged exposure. Recently, plant derivatives containing rotenone have been used for removing rough fish from ponds and lakes which were to be stocked with game fish. Little consideration has been given, however, to the possibility that the poison might kill other fresh-water animals (thus breaking the food chain) and seriously affect the survival of any fish with which the waters might be restocked. The present studies describe the mode of action of rotenone on typical fresh-water animals, principally invertebrate, and present data on the relative susceptibilities of these organisms to the drug