Standard-test-organism
Guides
Chironomus dilutus
Chironomus dilutus is a freshwater non-biting midge species in the family Chironomidae, described in 1999. The species has become a standard test organism in aquatic toxicology, particularly for chronic toxicity assessments of sediment-associated contaminants including pyrethroids, fluorotelomer acids, selenium, and microplastics. Laboratory studies demonstrate its sensitivity to various organic pollutants, with emergence and reproduction serving as key toxicological endpoints. The species is used in regulatory testing protocols for evaluating ecological risks of hydrophobic contaminants in freshwater systems.
Folsomia
Folsomia is a genus of elongate-bodied springtails in the family Isotomidae, containing more than 110 described species. Members of this genus are primarily soil-dwelling and are among the most commonly studied Collembola in ecotoxicological research. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution spanning multiple continents and biomes.
Hyalella
Hyalella is a genus of freshwater amphipods found in the Americas, with species distributed across North, Central, and South America. The genus contains numerous endemic species, particularly in South America, and includes the widely studied H. azteca, which serves as a standard test organism in aquatic toxicology. Members occupy benthic habitats in lakes, streams, and springs, where they function as important components of freshwater food webs.