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Effects of diflubenzuron on limb regeneration and molting in the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator

1987; Elsevier BV; Volume: 10; Issue: 5-6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0166-445x(87)90003-8

1879-1514

Judith S. Weis, Richard Cohen, Jill K. Kwiatkowsi,

Insect Resistance and Genetics

Fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator, were exposed to the insect growth regulator diflubenzuron (Dimilin®) at 0.5, 5, and 50 μg/l after multiple autotomy of one chela and five walking legs. Regeneration of the first walking leg was monitored, and time to ecdysis, mortality, and morphology of the regenerated limbs observed. Continuous exposure to the chemical produced a dose-dependent retardation of regeneration. Animals molting in the higher concentrations exhibited significant mortality at ecdysis. Exposure to the pesticide for a single week produced similar but less severe effects. However, if crabs molted while in the pesticide, significant mortality was observed. The presence of sediment in the container with the crab moderated the effects of the pesticide, but did not eliminate them. The regenerated limbs of the crabs that survived ecdysis were found to have lesions in the form of black areas in which the cuticle was improperly developed. These lesions were seen in crabs that had been in the pesticide for only one week (week 2 or week 3) as well as those that had had continuous exposure. They were also seen in crabs that regenerated in Dimilin with sediment. In addition, the number of setae on limbs was reduced compared to the number on limbs that had regenerated in clean sea water.