PARENT SESSION
1B Biologically based control and monitoring programs
9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, 08 May 2001

(T/EH020) Characterization of cholinesterases from Physella acuta and Melanopsis dufouri.

Ureña, Rocio¹, Del Ramo, Jose¹, Pujante, Ana², Díaz-Mayans, Javier¹, Torreblanca, Amparo¹, ^{1 2}

ABSTRACT- Physella acuta and Melanopsis dufouri are two freshwater snails found in rivers and streams of the Spanish Mediterranean region. They exhibit different patterns of distribution, being gilled snails (Melanopsis dufouri) more demandant about water quality than lunged ones (Physella acuta ). The use of biomarkers in both species for biomonitoring may cover a broad range of pollution states in an effluent gradient. In this study we report characteristics of cholinesterases from Physella acuta and Melanopsis dufouri (substrate and inhibitor specificities) as well as the in vivo and the in vitro effects of fenitrothion on them.

Key words: Physella acuta , Melanopsis dufouri, cholinesterase, biomarker