The use of Ceriodaphnia silvestrii Daday, 1902 (Crustacea, Cladocera) as a test organism in ecotoxicological studies in neotropical environments.

Abstract

Ceriodaphnia silvestrii Daday, 1902 (Crustacea, Cladocera) is a freshwater microcrustacean endemic to South America that has gained increasing recognition as a valuable model organism in ecotoxicological research. Its sensitivity to a wide range of environmental contaminants, coupled with its ecological relevance in tropical freshwater systems, makes it an ideal candidate for laboratory-based bioassays. This systematic review synthesizes peer-reviewed studies involving C. silvestrii retrieved from six scientific databases (Scielo, Scopus, Springer Link, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science, and USEPA), covering publications from 1998 through May 2025. The selected literature highlights its application in acute and chronic assays, encompassing multiple contaminant classes-including pesticides, metals, nitrogen compounds, and pharmaceuticals-as well as diverse endpoints, from survival and reproduction to behavioural and physiological responses. In Brazil, national standards such as ABNT NBR 12713 and NBR 13373 formalize the use of C. silvestrii in toxicity testing, supporting efforts to standardize methodologies. Environmental and experimental variables (e.g., temperature, pH, chemical mixtures) were also shown to modulate organism responses. This review reinforces the use of C. silvestrii as a solid bioindicator for ecological risk assessments in neotropical regions. Studies should not only rely on temperate species such as Daphnia magna, but incorporate native species to improve the environmental relevance of ecotoxicological evaluations.