Effect of Boric Acid on Embryonic Development in Fresh Water Gastropod Bellamya bengalensis:

Molluscs exhibit diverse reproductive strategies, but research on their developmental traits, particularly in gastropods, remained scanty. Environmental toxicants play an important role in disrupting molluscan embryogenesis, affecting its development and survival. Present investigation was undertaken to find-out the effects of boric acid on the embryonic development of the freshwater gastropod Bellamya bengalensis. It was observed that when the animals were exposure to boric acid (LC₅₀ = 4066.52 ppm), it induced developmental anomalies in later embryonic stages, including the hippo, juvenile, and fully matured snail phases. Key abnormalities were observed included stunted growth, egg capsule shrinkage, impaired foot movement, and degeneration of the shell and tentacles. These findings highlight the toxic effect of environmental pollutants on ontogeny of gastropod and emphasized the need for ecotoxicological monitoring and conservation strategies to protect aquatic invertebrate biodiversity.