Aquatic behavioral ecotoxicology - Prospects and limitations

This Perspective gives an overview of the definitions, advantages, and the importance of behavioral studies in ecotoxicology. Recent developments in automated quantitative recording technology as well as in mathematical data analysis and statistical data treatment have given rise to increased research in behavioral ecotoxicology. As an example, several studies performed with different invertebrate and vertebrate species using the non-optical impedance recorder, the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor (TM), are mentioned and discussed under the aspect of recent developments. However, some problems have still to be solved, such as (1) linking behavior to other biological test parameters on the suborganismal as well as the population level, (2) standardization of test designs and methods, and (3) creating more acceptance of these methods in the legislative framework of biomonitoring.