Effect of fluoride on the learning and memory ability of larvae of Zaprionus indianus

• Published in: Journal of basic & applied zoology Vol. 81; no. 1; pp. 1 - 5
• Main Authors: Mishra, Diksha, Kumari, Rishu, Ranjan, Smita, Yasmin, Shahla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 27.05.2020; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: 2nd instar larvae; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Ecology; Fluorides; Food chains; Food sources; Learning; Learning and memory; Life Sciences; Olfactory assay; Pesticides; Pollination; Sodium fluoride; Zaprionus indianus; Zoology; Learning and memory; Olfactory assay; Sodium fluoride; 2nd instar larvae
• ISSN: 2090-990X; 2090-990X
• DOI: 10.1186/s41936-020-00166-y

Background Many pesticides contain fluoride that enters the food chain and affect the non-target organisms. Fluoride is a known neurotoxin and may cause neurobehavioral defects. A study was conducted to see the effect of fluoride on the learning and memory ability of larvae of Zaprionus indianus . The learning and memory ability of 2nd instar larvae of normal (control) and sodium fluoride (NaF)-treated Zaprionus indianus was compared . Results Sublethal concentration of NaF for Z . indianus was found to be 0.8 ppm. Olfactory assay results showed that the larvae of normal (control) Z . indianus had better learning and memory ability in comparison to NaF-treated larvae. Conclusions This study indicates that the insects exposed to pesticides containing fluoride may have difficulty in locating food sources and carrying out pollination.