Aims
Pesticides are ubiquitous in aquatic environments and significantly impact fish behaviour. To investigate the impacts of pesticides on fish behaviour and wider aquatic communities, zebrafish are the most widely used model species. Although behavioural ecotoxicological research using zebrafish is a rapidly emerging field, we currently lack quantitative evidence to suggest the shortcomings of our understanding. By illuminating research gaps in the literature, we can inform future research and promote evidence-based policymaking.
Methods
We conducted a combination of systematic evidence mapping and bibliometric analysis of the existing evidence on the impacts of pesticides on zebrafish behaviour. This novel method has been coined as “research weaving” and involves five main steps, namely: literature searching, screening, extraction, data analysis and bibliometric analysis.
Results
We reveal considerable gaps in our current understanding of the sub-lethal effects of pesticide exposure on zebrafish due to three primary reasons. First, there is a clear lack of use of some specific pesticide chemical classes, such as neonicotinoids. Second, there is a paucity of consideration of important elements of study design incorporating different life stages and sexes. And last, there are considerable geographical biases, with few studies from developing countries and cross-country collaboration remaining scarce.
Conclusion
Following identifying our current shortcomings, we discuss resolutions to each gap and promote cross-country collaboration. The conclusions of the systematic evidence map and bibliographic analysis provide much-needed scope for future research and a steady base for future evidence-based policymaking.