Dataset of Age- and sex-specific toxicity of Panagrellus redivivus

Our study hypothesized that the toxicity of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) on the nematode Panagrellus redivivus is influenced by particle size, nematode sex, and developmental stage. The data set comprises mortality rates of P. redivivus exposed to ZnO NPs at two nominal particle sizes (15 nm and 140 nm) across a range of concentrations (0 to 100 mg/L). Mortality was assessed for different developmental stages (juvenile stages J2, J3/J4, and adults) and separately for males and females to identify inter-age and inter-sex differences. ZnO NP suspensions were prepared and characterized before exposure experiments, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) used to confirm particle size distribution and dissolution properties in exposure media. Contrary to initial expectations, 140 nm ZnO NPs exhibited higher toxicity than 15 nm ZnO NPs. The elevated toxicity of 140 nm ZnO is likely attributable to its irregular morphology and increased ion release compared to 15 nm ZnO. Male nematodes were more sensitive to 15 nm ZnO at higher concentrations, with significantly higher mortality rates compared to females. These results suggest that sex-based physiological differences, such as surface area-to-volume ratios and metabolic activity, may influence NP uptake and toxicity. Early larval stages (J2) showed the highest mortality across both particle sizes and concentrations. In contrast, older juveniles (J3/J4) and adults exhibited lower mortality rates, highlighting developmental stage as a critical factor in toxicity sensitivity. The observed toxicity patterns indicate that ZnO NP toxicity is not solely dependent on size but also on particle morphology and dissolution properties. The greater sensitivity of J2 larvae suggests that smaller body size and less developed physiological defenses may make early life stages more susceptible to nanoparticle stress. Additionally, the heightened sensitivity of males to 15 nm ZnO underscores the importance of considering sex-specific responses in toxicity assessments.