Dataset for: The unexpected absence of nickel effects on a Daphnia population at three temperatures is correctly predicted by a dynamic energy budget individual-based model (DEB-IBM)

Recent studies have shown that temperature affects chronic Ni toxicity to Daphnia magna at the individual (apical) level. However, the effect of temperature on Ni toxicity to D. magna at population-level is unknown. The present study investigated whether the effect of temperature on chronic Ni toxicity to D. magna assessed on apical endpoints can be extrapolated to the population-level. The results of the performed population experiment showed no consistent Ni effects on total D. magna population abundance at 15, 20 and 25ºC although the Ni concentrations tested were previously reported to significantly reduce reproduction in D. magna individuals. This result supports the idea that ecological risk assessment should not extrapolate as such from apical endpoints to the population-level. A Dynamic Energy Budget Individual-Based Model (DEB-IBM) was calibrated using apical Ni toxicity data at 15, 20 and 25°C. The goal was to investigate whether the calibrated DEB-IBM would be able to predict the unexpected absence of effects at population-level and to further investigate the effect of temperature on Ni toxicity to a D. magna population. At the population level, the calibrated DEB-IBM correctly predicted the unexpected absence of Ni effect to a D. magna population. Extrapolated EC50 values for population density predicted that the effect of temperature on Ni toxicity to D. magna populations was smaller (1.9-fold higher at 25°C than at 15°C) than on Ni toxicity to D. magna apical reproduction (the EC50 is 6.5-fold higher at 25°C than at 15°C, previous study). These results show that the DEB-IBM can help to replace population experiments by in silico simulations and to optimize the experimental design of population studies.