Agricultural pesticides can affect prawns and oysters

Date:
August 24, 2020
Source:
Southern Cross University
Summary:
Exposure to imidacloprid, an agricultural insecticide, at
environmentally-relevant concentrations in food or water, leaves
both crustaceans and molluscs vulnerable to insecticides, weakening
their immune system and leaving them susceptible to disease.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers from the University's National Marine Science Centre have demonstrated that imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, can impact
the feeding behaviour of prawns in a laboratory environment, leading to nutritional deficiency and reduced flesh quality.


==========================================================================
"The sobering thing with this study is that it shows that the exposure
of prawns to high concentrations of neonicotinoids can have such a
significant impact," said lead author and PhD candidate Peter Butcherine
whose study focussed on adult black tiger prawns.

"If they are not well managed, these chemicals have the potential to
affect the productivity and sustainability of cultured and capture prawn fisheries." This latest study builds on Peter's earlier work reviewing
the risk of neonicotinoid exposure to the shrimp aquaculture industry
where he identified a significant problem with these water-soluble
pesticides increasingly being detected in coastal waters worldwide.

Prawns and shrimp are in the same animal phylum (category) as insects and therefore share similarities in the nervous system that is the main target
for neonicotinoids, explained Professor Kirsten Benkendorff, co-author
and Director of the National Marine Science Centre based at Coffs Harbour.

"This means prawns and shrimp are highly vulnerable if they become
exposed to high levels of neonicotinoids, either through contaminated
water or feed, which often contains plant-based material," Professor Benkendorff said.

Imidacloprid is an agricultural insecticide used in Australia. Peter's
research provides evidence that exposure to imidacloprid, at environmentally-relevant concentrations in food or water, leads to
decreased food consumption and a loss of weight, as well as changes in
the lipid composition of the flesh.

"This laboratory-based study indicates that cultured and wild prawns
could be impacted in areas affected by high levels of neonicotinoid
pesticide run-off," Peter said.

Sydney rock oysters are also impacted by imidacloprid, according to the findings of a separate study co-authored by Professor Benkendorff.

"These two studies indicate both crustaceans and molluscs are vulnerable
to insecticides, weakening their immune system and leaving them
susceptible to disease," Professor Benkendorff said.

Professor Benkendorff said further study is required to understand
the range of pesticides in Australian waterways and their impacts on
estuarine environments.

"Our research identifies the need for effective management of pesticide
use and run-off from intensive agriculture in coastal areas with
productive seafood industries," she said.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Southern_Cross_University. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Peter Butcherine, Brendan P. Kelaher, Matthew D. Taylor, Bronwyn J.

Barkla, Kirsten Benkendorff. Impact of imidacloprid on the
nutritional quality of adult black tiger shrimp (Penaeus
monodon). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2020; 198:
110682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110682 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200824092034.htm

--- up 6 hours, 50 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1337:3/111)