Short-term toxicological effects of cadmium on the woodlouse, Porcellio laevis (Crustacea, isopoda)

Terrestrial isopods have been used in a number of studies as test organisms concerning the effects of chemicals in a (eco-) toxicological context. The y are saprophages, which are in direct contact with polluted plant material , Cadmium is a metal with no known biological function and is toxic to life ,There are a variety of anthropogenic sources of cadmium in the environment . The aims of this study mere to determine the LC50 for cadmium sulfate for Porcellio laevis and the acute effect of this metal salt on the mass of th is species and also to determine if P, laevis could distinguish and avoid c admium sulfate-contaminated leaves. Acute toxicity tests and behavioral tes ts were conducted using concentrations ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 mg/kg cadmium sulfate. The LC50 obtained of 26,700 mg/kg cadmium sulfate is an in dication of P. laevis' tolerance to cadmium contamination. P. laevis also e xhibited the ability to distinguish and avoid leaves contaminated with high cadmium sulfate levels. (C) 1999 Academic Press.