Work

A biomarker assessment of pesticide toxicity in endemic, native peregrine, and invasive earthworm species from the Muthalamada mango plantations, Kerala, India

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study assessed the toxic effects of pesticide exposure on four earthworm species: Perionyx excavatus Perrier, 1872; Megascolex konkanensis Fedarb, 1898; Dichogaster affinis (Michaelsen, 1890); and Metaphire houlleti (Perrier, 1872). The organisms were exposed to pesticide-treated soil. Biomass reduction, immunotoxicity, and enzyme biomarkers were used as endpoints. Among the tested species, M. konkanensis, a native species, appeared more sensitive than the others. In biomass tests, chlorpyrifos showed no significant effect on final body mass (p > 0.05). P. excavatus showed a significant reduction in body mass between 0.001 and 0.02 ppm of the pesticide mixture (p < 0.05), and exhibited avoidance behaviour. M. konkanensis showed avoidance at 0.02 ppm of the mixture but not at lower concentrations. Changes in AChE, LPO, GST, and CAT activities indicated pesticide-related stress. These results support the use of P. excavatus, D. affinis, and M. houlleti as indicators for soil contamination by pesticides.

Source: Natural Built Social Environment Health

DOI: 10.63095/nbseh.25.850535