Herbivory increases on freshwater plants exposed to artificial light at night

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is recognized as one of the major anthropogenic pollutants jeopardizing biodiversity a global scale. Few studies have focused on impacts nocturnal freshwater ecosystems despite their increasing exposure to pollution worldwide due human activities along rivers or lakes. By modifying metabolism, disruption natural regime could modify leaf palatability and affect plant-herbivore interactions which can partly determine structure macrophyte communities. experimentally mimicking conditions from sub-urban areas, we measured effects low-level traits an aquatic plant, Ceratophyllum demersum, herbivory by snail Lymnaea stagnalis, generalist feeder. We demonstrate that artificial increases rate: leaves C. demersum had been exposed ALAN for three months were 1.6 times more consumed L. stagnalis than control leaves. The increase in pond when plants was not decrease dry matter content modification biomechanical characteristics Because snails before during experiment, this palatability, possibly linked modifications primary and/or secondary metabolism. Our results suggest potential key factor affecting ecological processes such trophic networks.