A COMPARISON OF BIOMARKER RESPONSES IN THE EARTHWORM APORRECTODEA CALIGINOSA TO THE ORGANOPHOSPHORUS INSECTICIDES DIAZINON AND CHLORPYRIFOS

摘要

Three biomarkers in Aporrectodea caliginosa Savigny were evaluated for their ability to detect exposure to organo- phosphorus insecticides, and these physiological responses were related to effects on growth and life-table parameters. Adult and juvenile earthworms were exposed to a laboratory-simulated field rate (low concentration) and a higher sublethal Concentration of diazinon and chlorpyrifos. After a four-week exposure, juveniles were evaluated for cholinesterase activity, glutathione S-transferase activity, and growth, and adults were evaluated for the lysosomal neutral red retention assay (NRRA) and growth. Cholinesterase activity and the NRRA were more sensitive than growth in each age group for detecting exposure to the pesticides.