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Minnows are often selected for toxicity testing due to their well-documented sensitivity to various pollutants and chemicals commonly found in aquatic environments. Their use allows for the assessment of the potential harmful effects of substances on aquatic life, which is crucial for understanding how these pollutants may impact ecosystems and public health.

The choice of minnows also reflects their ecological importance; they serve as an integral part of the food web and are commonly found in freshwater systems. Their responsiveness to environmental changes makes them suitable indicators for water quality assessments.

In contrast, while frogs, crickets, and rats may contribute to toxicity studies in different contexts or environments, they do not specifically serve as standard bioindicators for aquatic toxicity testing. Each of these organisms has different habitats and biological responses, making them less ideal for evaluating the impacts of waterborne contaminants.