Sensitivity and Behavioural response to Acute Toxicity of lead in tropical Freshwater Worm, Branchiura sowerbyi Beddard, 1892

By : Kishore Dhara , Arpan Kumar Mait , Asish Kumar Panigrahi , Nimai Chandra Saha

Page No: 95-106

Abstract
Though aquatic oligochaetes are used as indicator organisms to monitor aquatic pollution but the toxic effects of lead on Branchiura sowerbyi are scanty. To address this lacunae, sensitivity and behavioural responses to acute toxicity of lead was studied in this particular species. Significant relationship between mortality rate of B. sowerbyi and exposure times (24, 48, 72 and 96h) was recorded only at 28 and 34 mg/l of the toxicant (p<0.05). In behavioural studies, treated worms showed significant reduction in rapid twisting movements with the increasing concentration of lead and the time of exposure. Significant reduction in normal clumping tendency was recorded at 48 and 50 mg/l of lead after 72h of exposure. No significant change in mucus secretion was recorded in the treated worms. Lead sediment was observed over the body wall of the worms at higher doses of lead exposure (44, 48 and 50 mg/l)

Authors :
Kishore Dhara : Office of the Deputy Director of Fisheries, Gour Banga Zone, Govt. of West Bengal, Meen Bhawan, Mangalbari, Malda-732 142, West Bengal, India.

Arpan Kumar Maiti : Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohanpur, District-Darjeeling, West Bengal-734013, India.

Asish Kumar Panigrahi : Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani 741235, Nadia, West Bengal, India.

Nimai Chandra Saha : Fisheries and Ecotoxicology Research Laboratory (Vice-Chancellor’s Research Group), Department of Zoology, University of Burdwan, Golapbagh, Burdwan-713104, West Bengal, India.
 

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/JAT.2019.34.1-2.8