ASSESSING THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF DELTAMETHRIN AND ACETAMIPRID ON THE LAND SNAIL CORNU ASPERSUM (O. F. MÜLLER, 1774): (GASTEROPODA, HELICIDAE) AS BIOACCUMULATOR AND BIOINDICATOR OF SOIL POLLUTION

Assessing the levels of pesticide-contaminated terrestrial ecosystems hinges on selecting effective and ecologically relevant bioindicator organisms.In this study, we highlight the bio indication potential of the terrestrial gastropod Cornu aspersum, a species widely distributed in north-east Algeria, to evaluate soil contamination by two commonly used insecticides: deltamethrin (a pyrethroid) and Acetamiprid (a neonicotinoid).Adult snails were exposed to increasing concentrations of both insecticides under controlled laboratory conditions of one month.Survival analysis revealed no significant mortality across treatment groups, indicating a lack of acute toxicity under the tested concentrations.Biometric measurements, including body weight, shell length, and shell diameter, show there was an effect of deltamethrin and acetamiprid concentrations on growth parameters.However, detailed histopathological examination revealed pronounced sublethal effects.Both insecticides, particularly at higher concentrations, induced marked structural damage in internal tissues.The most notable alterations included widespread necrosis and degeneration in the secretory cells of the hepatopancreas, as well as muscle fiber fragmentation and cellular disorganization in the foot sole region.Additionally, signs of epithelial hyperplasia were observed in the foot sole, indicating an inflammatory or adaptive response to chemical stress.These findings underscore the capacity of C. aspersum to serve as a sensitive histological bioindicator for detecting sublethal pesticide exposure in terrestrial ecosystems.The study also emphasizes the importance of integrating histological biomarkers alongside traditional endpoints such as survival and growth in ecotoxicological assessments.