Unveiling the Subtle Threats: The Neurobehavioral Impact of Chlorpyrifos on <i>Girardia tigrina</i>
Althiéris S. Saraiva,
Eloisa Borges dos Reis,
Fernanda S. Farnese,
Marilene S. Oliveira,
Pearl U. Ofoegbu,
Aline S. P. Dornelas,
Renato A. Sarmento,
João C. P. de Souza,
Erika C. Resende,
Andreia C. M. Rodrigues
Affiliations
Althiéris S. Saraiva
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano—Campus Campos Belos (CAE Research Group—Conservação de Agroecossistemas e Ecotoxicologia), Campos Belos 73840-000, GO, Brazil
Eloisa Borges dos Reis
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano—Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde 75901-970, GO, Brazil
Fernanda S. Farnese
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano—Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde 75901-970, GO, Brazil
Marilene S. Oliveira
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano—Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde 75901-970, GO, Brazil
Pearl U. Ofoegbu
CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Aline S. P. Dornelas
Programa de Apoio à Fixação de Jovens Doutores no Brasil, Estagio Pós-Doutoral—Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Campus Universitário de Gurupi, Gurupi 77402-970, TO, Brazil
Renato A. Sarmento
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Campus Universitário de Gurupi, Gurupi 77402-970, TO, Brazil
João C. P. de Souza
Departamento de Química da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”—Unesp—Campus Bauru, Bauru 17033-360, SP, Brazil
Erika C. Resende
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano—Campus Iporá-GO, Iporá 76200-000, GO, Brazil
Andreia C. M. Rodrigues
CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide widely used to control agricultural pests, poses a significant environmental threat due to its toxicity and persistence in soil and water. Our work aimed to evaluate the acute (survival) and chronic (regeneration, locomotion, and reproduction) toxicity of chlorpyrifos to the non-target freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina. The 48 h lethal concentration (LC50) of the commercial formulation, containing 480 g L−1 of chlorpyrifos, the active ingredient, was determined to be 622.8 µg a.i. L−1 for planarians. Sublethal effects were translated into a significant reduction in locomotion and delayed head regeneration (lowest observed effect concentration—LOEC = 3.88 µg a.i. L−1). Additionally, chlorpyrifos exposure did not affect planarian fecundity or fertility. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of chlorpyrifos-based insecticides to harm natural populations of freshwater planarians at environmentally relevant concentrations. The observed toxicity emphasizes the need for stricter regulations and careful management of chlorpyrifos usage to mitigate its deleterious effects on aquatic ecosystems. By understanding the specific impacts on non-target organisms like G. tigrina, we can make more informed suggestions regarding the usage and regulation of organophosphate insecticides, ultimately promoting sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation.
