EFFECT OF ENDOSULFAN ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND METABOLIC RATE IN RELATION TO BODY WEIGHT OF LYMNAEA LUTEOLA (LAMARC)

Respiratory metabolism of the snail, Lynnaea luteola (Lamarc) was investigated to find out the influence of the pesticide on the rate of oxygen consumption and the weight specific metabolism by exposing the snail to varying pesticide concentrations (0.01 to 0.5 ppm) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs. The rate of oxygen consumption and weight specific metabolism decreased due to exposure to 0.01 ppm endosulfan; a rise in the rate was observed when the pesticide concentration was more than 0.05 ppm. The respiratory metabolism of this snail is presumably dependent upon duration of exposure and the pesticide concentration. Longer periods of exposure (72 and 96 hrs) at higher concentrations have greater influence on the rate. The reduced metabolic rate of the snail after 24, 48,72 and 96 hrs exposure indicate that the endosulfan is inhibitory in its action.