CONCENTRATION-DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF SUBLETHAL CADMIUM ON DNA INTEGRITY IN DAMSELFLIES

Siti Hamidah Ismail, Suhaila Ab Hamid

Abstract


Environmental pollution by heavy metals, particularly cadmium (Cd), poses serious ecological threats due to its persistence and genotoxic potential. This study examined the DNA-damaging effects of Cd exposure on two damselfly species, Pseudagrion microcephalum and Pseudagrion pruinosum (Odonata: Coenagrionidae), used as bioindicators of aquatic ecosystem health. Larvae were collected from Air Puteh and Kulim Hi-Tech rivers in Kedah, Malaysia, representing different environmental conditions. Final instar larvae were exposed to Cd concentrations of 0.01 mg/L and 1 mg/L for ten days. DNA damage was assessed using the comet assay, quantifying fragmentation through tail moment, olive tail moment, and DNA percentage in the tail. Both species exhibited significant DNA damage upon Cd exposure, with increased tail moments and DNA fragmentation in a dose and time-dependent manner. For P. microcephalum, tail moments at 0.01 mg/L ranged from 0.06 to 0.75, and from 0.10 to 0.86 at 1 mg/L, peaking around day 6. Olive tail moments and tail DNA percentages also peaked on days 6 and 7, indicating heightened genotoxic stress. Pseudagrion pruinosum showed increased DNA damage, with tail moments ranging from 0.01 to 0.52 (0.01 mg/L) and 0.02 to 0.70 (1 mg/L), peaking on day 7. Notably, P. microcephalum exhibited greater DNA damage across all parameters compared to P. pruinosum, suggesting species-specific susceptibility linked to genetic or metabolic differences. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences (P<0.05) across treatments and durations. Fluctuations after day seven suggest activation of repair mechanisms, though prolonged exposure may compromise these responses. This study highlights the effectiveness of comet assays on Odonata larvae for genotoxicity monitoring and underscores the ecological risks posed by chronic Cd exposure in freshwater systems.

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