Abstracto

TOXIC EFFECTS OF CADMIUM CHLORIDE ON HEMATOLOGICAL CHANGES IN FRESHWATER FIELD CRAB Paratelphusa hydrodromous (DECAPODA: BRACHYURA)

A. M. Padmanaban, K. Mohan

Cadmium, a metal widely used in industrial processes, has been recognized to be a highly toxic and dangerous environmental pollutant. These excess amounts in addition to naturally occurring levels gradually build up to toxic levels causing damages to the biota of the aquatic ecosystem. The fresh water field crab, Paratelphusa hydrodromous is an important human food source in parts of South India. Evaluation of the toxic effect of cadmium chloride on the experimental crab for the LC50 value was carried out. The present study evaluates toxicity of cadmium chloride and its impact on hematological changes in the fresh water field crab Paratelphusa hydrodromous.