From Behaviour to Tissue Damage: Clam Responses to Fungicide Exposure. Authors: Aya Aouni, Noureddine Khalloufi & Mustapha Bejaoui
Researchers exposed the clam Ruditapes decussatus - a species widespread across Mediterranean lagoon ecosystems - to a triazole fungicide commonly used in agriculture, at concentrations reflecting real environmental contamination. Over 7 days, they assessed the clams' filtration behavior, oxidative and neurotoxic stress, and tissue integrity, measuring four biomarkers (CAT, GST, MDA, AChE) in the gills and digestive gland.
Key Findings- Filtration activity increased significantly at the lowest concentration tested.
- Antioxidant enzymes and cellular damage markers responded differently depending on the organ and dose.
- Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity dropped sharply as concentration increased - a clear sign of neurotoxicity.
- Tissue examination revealed gill malformations, hemocyte infiltration, and degeneration of digestive tubules with necrotic areas.
These findings demonstrate that agricultural contaminants can disrupt marine life at behavioral, biochemical, and tissue levels - even at environmentally realistic doses. They confirm Ruditapes decussatus as a valuable bioindicator for monitoring the health of lagoon ecosystems exposed to chemical pollution worldwide.
Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.71754/instm.bulletin.v51.1786
