Avoidance behavior of earthworms under exposure to pesticides: Is it always chemosensorial?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Joana L Pereira (Author) Other; Sara C Antunes (Author) Other; Ana C Ferreira (Author) Other; Fernando Goncalves (Author) Other; Ruth Pereira (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Environmental Science and Health - Part B Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes

Vol. 45

Pages: 229-232

ISSN: 0360-1234

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 29 Citations

Scopus - 30 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-BMC

DOI: 10.1080/03601231003613625

Abstract (EN): Soil avoidance by earthworms has been generally considered a relevant and sensitive endpoint for assessing soil contamination by xenobiotics. However, when pesticide ecotoxicological assessment is concerned, the sensitivity of the recently standardized avoidance assay has been questioned. We hypothesized that this controversy may be due to the specific pesticide mode of action of the chemicals used rather than reveal inconsistencies in the test feasibility, i.e. provided that no pesticides interfering with neuronal pathways are tested, this bioassay should keep expected high levels of sensitivity. In this study, the avoidance behaviour of the earthworm Eisenia andrei under exposure to the carbamate insecticide methomyl [S-methyl N-(methylcarbamoyloxy)thioacetimidate] was linked to the corresponding acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. Significant AChE inhibition occurred at lower concentrations (from 0.86 mg Kg-1 onwards) than significant avoidance of spiked soil (from 5.62 mg Kg-1 onwards). This indicates that assessments regarding pesticides that have neurotoxic activity may be biased if behavioral endpoints are selected. Despite theoretical hypothesis that have been raised, this should be the first study providing preliminary experimental evidence on such a link between avoidance behavior and neuronal impairment levels in earthworms. Further studies are ongoing that should refine conclusions of this study.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4