Some Behavioural Responses Of <i>Limicolaria aurora</i> Exposed To Gramoxone

Abstract

The effects of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % of combined oral and dermal single-application of 0.1 M concentration of gramoxone (contact herbicide, paraquat chloride) on Limicolaria aurora were determined and compared with control using Amaranthus sp. as bait. Responses were measured through normal feeding and crawling, head retraction into the shell, swelling, excessive mucus secretion, lack of response to mechanical stimuli (mortality). Results showed no effects on controls. Snails exposed to gramoxone fed less as contamination increased. Gramoxone is molluscicidal, it can also result in behaviour–modifying observations in snails which are non-target organisms in the ecosystem.

Key words: African giant land snail, gramoxone, ecotoxicology.

Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 82-85