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Toxicity of cadmium and zinc to miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2002

N.J. MORLEY
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
M. CRANE
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
J.W. LEWIS
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
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Abstract

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The specific objectives of this study were to elucidate metal toxicity to hatching, survival and avoidance behaviour of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. The toxicity of cadmium, zinc, and cadmium/zinc mixtures at concentrations ranging from 10000 to 10μg/l was investigated. Metal mixture toxicity investigation was undertaken with equal concentrations of the metals. The hatching of miracidia from eggs was inhibited by concentrations of 1000–10000μg/l of single metals. Metal mixtures had no effect on egg hatching. Survival of miracidia was reduced by increasing metal concentration except at concentrations of 10μg/l for single metal toxicity where survival was increased above the control. Miracidia demonstrated a rapid avoidance behaviour when briefly exposed to heavy metals. The mechanisms of metal toxicity to miracidia are briefly discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press