We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
How threatened planarians can be when ingesting contaminated prey with microplastics?
AI summary Read the abstract
Planarian flatworms — a freshwater species with remarkable regeneration abilities — were exposed to microplastic-contaminated prey to study whether microplastics transfer through the food chain and affect these predators. The study found that trophic transfer of microplastics to planarians was possible and caused stress responses, including effects on their regenerative capacity. The findings are relevant because trophic transfer is one of the main ways microplastics spread through food webs in freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastics (size ¡ 5 mm) represent a global threat to freshwaters, as they are among the major sinks of these contaminants sourced on inland anthropogenic activities. The number of studies in these environments remains scarce compared to marine environments, and little is known about the potential trophic transfer and the consequent effects on freshwater predators, particularly those with extracorporeal digestion. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the behavioural and physiological responses of the planarian Girardia tigrina after consuming contaminated prey - Chironomus riparius 4th instar larvae previously exposed to microplastics of Polyurethane (PU-MPs; 7-9 μm in size; polymer applied in building & construction and transportation sectors). Firstly, larvae (¡ 48 h) were exposed to 0 (control condition) and 375 mg PU-MPs/kg for 10 days (a concentration that did not affect larvae growth, despite the hyperactivity observed in contaminated prey). After 10 days, larvae (n=15) from PU-MP and control conditions were collected, rinsed, and fed to planarians for (3h). After the feeding period, planarians' locomotion and regeneration were evaluated. Planarians consumed 20% more contaminated prey than uncontaminated prey, probably related to larvae' higher locomotion behaviour (also more appellative to the predator). After feeding activity, no significant changes in planarians' locomotion were observed, but a slight delay in the regeneration of the auricula (up to 1.5 days) was recorded for planarians that fed on contaminated prey. Histological analysis revealed the planarians' uptake of a limited number of PU-MPs. Although results reveal sub-lethal effects on planarians after consuming contaminated prey with PU-MPs, it does not rule out eventual long-term effects (i.e., reproduction/fitness). Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/422878/document
More Papers Like This
Microplastics altered cellular responses, physiology, behaviour, and regeneration of planarians feeding on contaminated prey
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that planarians feeding on microplastic-contaminated prey showed altered behavior, impaired physiology, and reduced regeneration capacity, demonstrating that microplastics can transfer through freshwater food chains and harm predatory invertebrates.
Dynamics of interaction and effects of microplastics on planarian tissue regeneration and cellular homeostasis
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic exposure in freshwater planarians disrupted their tissue regeneration capacity and cellular homeostasis, with effects worsening at higher concentrations. Planarians are valued model organisms for studying regeneration, and these findings suggest microplastics can impair fundamental biological repair processes in aquatic invertebrates.
Nanoplastic exposure inhibits feeding and delays regeneration in a freshwater planarian
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed freshwater planarians to nanoplastics and found that even very low concentrations significantly reduced feeding rates. Higher concentrations also delayed the worms' ability to regenerate lost body parts, a key biological function for these organisms. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution in freshwater environments may impair fundamental survival behaviors and biological processes in aquatic invertebrates.
Behavioral and physiological responses of Girardia tigrina exposed to polyethylene microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed freshwater flatworms (planaria) to polyethylene microplastics and observed changes in their behavior and physiological responses. The exposed organisms showed altered movement patterns and signs of stress. The study suggests that planaria could serve as a useful model organism for assessing the ecological risks of microplastic pollution in freshwater environments, particularly regarding effects on tissue regeneration.
Advances in ecotoxicological research using planarians: a comprehensive review
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists use tiny flatworms called planarians—famous for their ability to regrow body parts—to study how pollutants like pesticides, microplastics, and heavy metals damage living tissue. This review of existing research found that many different pollutants cause the same underlying problem: they trigger cellular stress that disrupts the worms' repair systems, which can impair healing, behavior, and reproduction. One particularly concerning finding is that microplastics can act like a "Trojan horse," carrying harmful metals into the body more easily—a reminder that combined pollution exposure (as we experience in everyday life) may be riskier than expos
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.