C. FAULK AND L. FUIMAN, 750 Channel View Drive, University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, Texas, USA

Mature Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus were administered one of three doses of o,p’-DDT (0, 2.0, or 10.0 ėg 100g BW^-1 d^-1) in their diet. Their eggs and larvae were reared in "clean" water and the behavior of the larvae before and after presentation of an acoustic stimulus was recorded on video tape. Swimming speeds for individual larvae were calculated using computerized motion analysis equipment. Prior to complete yolk and oil absorption, the spontaneous swimming speeds of the DDT treated groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.0001). After this time, no difference was seen between treatments. A reduction in spontaneous activity during the early larval period could reduce the ability of a larva to locate sufficient prey to survive the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding. The proportion of larvae which responded to the acoustic stimulus was higher in the control group than the exposed groups following complete yolk and oil absorption (P < 0.01). Burst swimming speeds of the larvae which responded to the stimulus were not different across treatment levels. A change in responsiveness due to parental exposure to DDT could increase the risk to predation and therefore decrease recruitment into the breeding population.