Impacts of Neonicotinoids on Molluscs: What We Know and What We Need to Know

Endurance E Ewere; Amanda Reichelt-Brushett; Kirsten Benkendorff

doi:10.3390/toxics9020021

Impacts of Neonicotinoids on Molluscs: What We Know and What We Need to Know

Toxics. 2021 Jan 22;9(2):21. doi: 10.3390/toxics9020021.

Authors

Endurance E Ewere^{1

2}, Amanda Reichelt-Brushett¹, Kirsten Benkendorff^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
² Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City PMB 1154, Nigeria.
³ National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, 2 Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia.

Abstract

The broad utilisation of neonicotinoids in agriculture has led to the unplanned contamination of adjacent terrestrial and aquatic systems around the world. Environmental monitoring regularly detects neonicotinoids at concentrations that may cause negative impacts on molluscs. The toxicity of neonicotinoids to some non-target invertebrates has been established; however, information on mollusc species is limited. Molluscs are likely to be exposed to various concentrations of neonicotinoids in the soil, food and water, which could increase their vulnerability to other sources of mortality and cause accidental exposure of other organisms higher in the food chain. This review examines the impacts of various concentrations of neonicotinoids on molluscs, including behavioural, physiological and biochemical responses. The review also identifies knowledge gaps and provides recommendations for future studies, to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of impacts from neonicotinoid exposure to molluscs.

Keywords: biomarker; bivalve; cephalopod; environmental concentration; gastropod; non-target species; pesticide; toxicity.

Publication types

Review