Evaluation of cross-generational exposure to microplastics and co-occurring contaminants on embryonic and larval behavior in fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in freshwater systems, and understanding their effects on aquatic organisms is increasingly important. Microplastics possess several unique surface properties that allow them to act as vectors for common environmental pollutants, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which may serve as an additional route of exposure to those contaminants. However, few studies have considered the cross-generational effects of microplastics on early life-stage behaviors in aquatic vertebrates. In this study, adult fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, were exposed to microplastics alone (MPVirgin) or in association with one of two environmentally relevant concentrations of 17 α-ethinyl estradiol (low; MPEE2 10 and high; MPEE2 50) for 30 days and then were allowed to spawn. Embryonic activity was assessed for F1 embryos of the MP-exposed F0 adults at 4 days post fertilization. After hatching, half of these larvae received continued exposure for 21 days, and larv..., Adult fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, were exposed to microplastics alone (MPVirgin) or in association with one of two environmentally relevant concentrations of 17 α-ethinyl estradiol (low; MPEE2 10 and high; MPEE2 50) for 30 days and then were allowed to spawn. Embryonic activity was assessed for F1 embryos of the MP-exposed F0 adults at 4 days post fertilization. After hatching, half of these larvae received continued exposure for 21 days, and larvae were tested in open-field swimming trials for swimming performance and space use. Data for embryos and larvae were collected using automated behavioral tracking software and exported as Excel worksheets. , , # Data from: Evaluation of cross-generational exposure to microplastics and co-occurring contaminants on embryonic and larval behavior in fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.w6m905r00](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.w6m905r00)

## Description of the data and file structure

### Files and variables

#### File: PersingerWard_EmbryoData_PeerJ_Final.xlsx

**Description:** This file includes data recorded from embryo activity trials

##### Variables

* Video: identifier of the recorded trial
* ClutchIDUnique: Clutch ID
* Subject: Embryo identifier within clutch
* Parental treatment: Exposure treatment of parents
* Activity %: Percent of trial time spent engaged in activity
* Burst count: Number of unique burst movements made by embryos during the trial
* PCA_Score: PCA scores of embryonic activity

#### File: PersingerWard_Hatching_.xlsx

**Description:** This file includes data related to the spawning of exposed parents and the hatching of resulting clutches
...,