Effect of Particle Size and Pesticide Contamination on Preference and Ingestion Rates by the Tropical Freshwater Shrimp <i>Xiphocaris elongata</i>

In tropical streams, freshwater shrimp are essential to preserve the structure and function of lotic ecosystems. Shredder play a fundamental role in organic matter decomposition because these feed on detritus. addition, they especially important organisms as connect all trophic levels at food webs. natural environments, decaying leaf material may accumulate contaminants, including insecticides herbicides. At these, shredder can be exposed contaminants through ingestion litter material. The objectives this study were evaluate if Xiphocaris elongata display preference for feeding different plant species size areas while also assessing their consumption leaves contaminated with pesticides. We evaluated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity possible biomarker pesticide contamination using an immunofluorescence microscopy imaging approach. Our results revealed that area more appropriate future toxicological studies is Spathodea campanulata leaves, 0.65 cm2. This showed sublethal concentrations malathion permethrin seem have significant effect rates X. elongata, which suggests presence influenced behavior. Immunofluorescence cephalothorax ganglia decline AChE when dose increased. observed suggest used detect assess exposure shrimp.