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Toxic and excitatory effects of the molluscicide metaldehyde on the biofouling bivalve Dreissena polymorpha Pallas
Author(s) -
Putchakayala Sashi M,
Ram Jeffrey L
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1526-4998(200001)56:1<39::aid-ps84>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - molluscicide , zebra mussel , dreissena , biology , perna viridis , mussel , toxicology , mollusca , ecology , bivalvia , snail
The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha Pallas, is a biofouling freshwater pest for which alternative control methods to the use of chlorine are sought. Metaldehyde, a molluscicide used primarily for control of terrestrial slugs, has also been shown to have efficacy and specificity in the control of aquatic snails. To test its potential for zebra mussel control, we investigated its effects on zebra mussel viability and on contractility of siphon/mantle muscle preparations in vitro . Metaldehyde caused zebra mussel mortality within 48 h at concentrations of approximately 0.1 and 0.2 g litre −1 . The same concentrations of metaldehyde activated a complex, excitatory response in previously quiescent siphon/mantle preparations but did not modify the contractile responses of the preparations to acetylcholine. The relatively low level of toxicity of metaldehyde to zebra mussels, compared to its toxicity to snails and slugs, and the difficulty of applying this relatively insoluble molluscicide in the aqueous environment suggest that metaldehyde would not be an effective zebra mussel control agent. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry