The histopathological effects of detergent 'Tide' on foot and mantle of the fresh water snail, Bellamya bengalensis Lamarck.

Abstract In this study the fresh water snail (Bellamyabengalensis) one of the most abundant gastropod of river Godavari, was investigated to determine the histopathological effects of detergent “Tide” on the foot and mantle under laboratory conditions. The exposure of the snails to sub-lethal concentrations of the detergents resulted in prevalence of desquamation of the epithelial cells, changes in the number of mucocytes, disruption of glandular cells and atrophy of the columnar muscle fibres in the foot and mantle tissues of snails. The results are discussed, particularly in comparison to those of other aquatic organisms.