Selenate (SeO4) and selenite (SeO3) toxicity discerned from transcriptomic analysis in the freshwater insect, Chironomus kiiensis

Abstract

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for living tissues, including aquatic insects but can be very toxic at slightly above the threshold level. Recent evidence indicates that selenite (SeO3) is more toxic than selenate (SeO4) to aquatic organisms. However, the question of ‘how selenite toxicity differs from selenate’ remain unsolved. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the toxicity of selenate and selenite to freshwater midges, Chironomus kiiensis as well as to address the toxicity and accumulation of Se at different life stages of this insect.