Effect of an insect juvenile hormone analogue, Fenoxycarb ® on development and oxygen uptake by larval lobsters Homarus gammarus (L.)

Abstract

Little attention has been focused on the effect of anthropogenic compounds that disrupt the endocrine systems in crustaceans. Consequently, this study investigated the effects of the juvenile hormone analogue (JHA), Fenoxycarb ® on selected physiological and developmental processes of the zoeal stages in the European lobster, Homarus gammarus. Chronic exposure to Fenoxycarb (50μg L − 1) resulted in a significant ( p < 0.05) reduction in moult frequency and size at moult. Fenoxycarb exposure extended zoeal duration between zoea I to II ( p < 0.05) and resulted in total inhibition of the moult from zoea II to III. Significantly greater rates of O 2 uptake were observed in Fenoxycarb-exposed larvae in comparison with controls ( p < 0.05). All rates of O 2 uptake decreased significantly between 7 and 12d of exposure ( p < 0.05). At 12d, exposure to the solvent control no longer influenced rates of O 2 uptake, but it was not possible to attribute increased O 2 uptake to Fenoxycarb exposure directly, as treated individuals did not moult beyond zoea III. The low exposure concentrations of Fenoxycarb, comparable to those used in plant protection, resulted in endocrine disrupted responses in H. gammarus (albeit with little clear, demonstrable effect on metabolism) a finding that could have important ecological and commercial implications.