Chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus and sperm morphology in limnonectes keralensis due to carbaryl

It is known that, the pesticide usages in agriculture have lead to increase in food production world wide. Due to agricultural managerial practices the anuran amphibians are much affected. In the present study, an attempt has been made on genotoxic effect carbaryl on Limnonectes keralensis in paddy fields of Central Western Ghats, where continuous application of pesticides is being practiced. Frog L. keralensis is a common inhabitant of such agro ecosystem. Carbaryl is a carbamate pesticide was used to test their genotoxic effect on Limnonectes keralensis. The pilot toxicity studies have revealed that LD50 was estimated to be 100mg/kg. b.w. at 96 h. by an intraperitoneal injection. The lethal and sublethal doses are 100, 75, 75, 50 and 25 mg/kg body weight. are equivalent to LD50 and 3/4th, 1/2nd and 1/4th of the LD50 doses were employed to treat animals for further studies. After treatment toxicity test like Chromosomal aberrations, Micronucleus and sperm abnormality were tested at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h duration of cabaryl exposure resulted in higher frequency of chromosomal aberrations when compared to control. The results reveal that the frequency of chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus and sperm abnormalities were not significant at 24 and 48 h at pesticide exposure, but significant statisticallay at 72 and 96 h in contrast to control. The pesticide causes these effects contribute to decline in its population too in long run.