Biotic stressors have been demonstrated to change the toxicity of pollutants. While the combined effects of predator cues and pesticides are well documented, the interaction of predator stress with metals is a topic that has remained largely unexplored. In this laboratory experiment, the freshwater isopod Asellus aquaticus is exposed to predator cues and metal mixtures of Cd, Cu and Pb. We examined the effects on growth, respiration and, as behavioral parameters, feeding rate and activity. These were linked to the free ion activities (FIAs) in the water and the metal body concentrations. The findings reveal that Cu accumulation significantly influenced the growth rate, the feeding rate and the activity of isopods exposed to predator stress. Furthermore, we found a concentration-dependent interaction of the Cd + Pb mixtures on the feeding rate and a lower feeding rate for Cd and Pb predator exposed asellids. As several interactions were found between metals and predator stress, it demonstrates the importance of investigating how organisms and whole ecosystems respond to multiple stressors. A better understanding of these interactions will undoubtedly improve risk assessment and management.

生物应激源已被证明可以改变污染物的毒性。尽管捕食者线索和杀虫剂的综合作用已得到充分证明，但捕食者应激与金​​属的相互作用仍然是一个尚未广泛探讨的话题。在此实验室实验中，淡水等足类鱼类Asellus aquaticus暴露于捕食者线索以及Cd，Cu和Pb的金属混合物。我们检查了对生长，呼吸以及行为参数，进食速度和活动的影响。这些与水中的游离离子活度和金属体内的浓度有关。这些发现表明，铜的积累显着影响了暴露于捕食者胁迫下的生长速度，摄食速度和等足动物的活动。此外，我们发现了Cd + Pb混合物的浓度依赖性相互作用对进食速率的影响，而Cd和Pb捕食者暴露的谷粒的进食速率较低。由于在金属和捕食者应激之间发现了几种相互作用，因此证明了研究生物体和整个生态系统如何应对多种应激因素的重要性。