Impact of pesticides on the respiration of Planorbarius (superspecies) corneus s. l. allospecies (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Planorbidae) from the Ukrainian river network

Abstract

Abstract We studied the impact of different concentrations in water environment of the pesticides widely used in Ukraine (insecticide “Actor”, fungicide “Scooter”, and herbicide “Titus-C”) on the features of pulmonary and surface respiration of Planorbarius (superspecies) corneus s. l. vicaristic genetic allospecies (“western” and “eastern”). Pesticides get into the mollusc organisms percutaneously through the covers of their body during their respiration and, in much less amounts, with the food. Both the allospecies are characterized by bimodal respiration mode. It was established that the used pesticides in the concentration range 10-50 mg/L caused the rapid development of pathological process (intoxication). The lethality of experimental animals occurred due to the asphyxia and heart paralysis, caused by the intensive mucus production and destruction of the respiratory epithelium: first in body covers, later – in lungs. “Eastern” allospecies appeared to be more sensitive and less durable for all used pesticides, so it tends more to regress under the high contamination of water environment by these toxicants.