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Sensitivity of preparasitic stages of Chordodes nobilii (Gordiida, Nematomorpha) to malathion

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Abstract

The largest part of the life cycle of Gordiida, known as horsehair worms, occurs in aquatic environments usually affected by agricultural activities. The free-living adults reproduce in freshwater environments, where preparasitic larvae undergo development. Since malathion is an insecticide used in the distribution area of Chordodes nobilii, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of malathion concentrations which might be expected in the environment on preparasitic stages of this species. The embryonic development and the viability of larvae were analyzed after a short-term exposure to malathion concentrations ranging between 36 and 220 μg a.i./l. Embryo development was inhibited at 220 μg a.i./l and the infective capacity of larvae derived from malathion-exposed eggs was significantly decreased starting from the lowest concentration. Larvae developed from malathion-exposed eggs exhibited malformations. Directly exposed larvae also showed decreased infectivity since the lowest assayed concentration. Our results indicate that a short-term exposure to malathion at levels potentially present in the surface water in environments inhabited by Chordodes nobilii affects significantly its preparasitic stages and the infective capacity of parasitic larvae.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Ing. Alcira Borsa (Lab. Formulados-SENASA) for donation of the insecticide and Dr. Juan García (CEPAVE, CONICET) for providing us with Aedes aegypti (Diptera) larvae. This work was supported by grants from the National University of La Plata, National University of Lujan, and CIC-BsAs. Argentina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Cecilia L. Achiorno

  2. Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Cecilia L. Achiorno & Cristina De Villalobos

  3. Scientific Research Commission (CIC), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Cristina De Villalobos & Lucrecia Ferrari

  4. Applied Ecophysiology Program, Basic Sciences Department, National University of Luján, Casilla de Correo 221, B6700ZBA, Luján, Argentina

    Lucrecia Ferrari

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  1. Cecilia L. Achiorno
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  2. Cristina De Villalobos
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  3. Lucrecia Ferrari
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Correspondence to Lucrecia Ferrari.

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Achiorno, C.L., De Villalobos, C. & Ferrari, L. Sensitivity of preparasitic stages of Chordodes nobilii (Gordiida, Nematomorpha) to malathion. Ecotoxicology 18, 594–599 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-009-0317-2

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