Biology and Effects of Endosulfan and Dimethoate on Marine Molluscs

This work is mainly devoted to the study of ecology, breeding biology and biochemical composition of the Tellinids (Marine bivalves) T. ala and T. cuspis. In addition to the biological studies, the effect of two pesticides endosulfan and dimethoate on the physiology and histology of Tellinids were also carried out. This study also encompasses the thoughts on wide-spread and indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture causing a great concern, since the environment is contaminated. The translocation of pesticides from agricultural fields to the aquatic environment poses a serious threat to fishes and shell fishes of commercial importance. Fishes and shellfishes play a significant role in Indian economy, Bivalves are nutritious, delicious and abundant sources of protein. Bivalves are considered a group of organisms that can usefully be utilized as test animals for pesticides in the environment. Bivalves received much importance and are used as indicator species due to their sedentary nature. The physiological activities like feeding, respiratory mechanism, excretion and various life activity such as ciliary activity, burrowing, byssal activity and also growth, have been seriously impaired on exposure to pollutants even at low concentration. This volume contains a good number of graphs and photographs. The statistical data and the illustrations appended herewith easily surpasses all other Indian published works on this and related subjects.