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Transmission of nanoplastics from Culex quinquefasciatus to Pardosa pseudoannulata and its impact on predators
Summary
Researchers exposed Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae to 200 and 1000 nanoplastics per mL of polystyrene and then fed the matured mosquitoes to Pardosa pseudoannulata wolf spiders to trace nanoplastic transmission across the aquatic-terrestrial boundary. They found that ingestion of nanoplastic-exposed prey affected spider growth, intestinal tissue structure, gut flora composition, and enzymatic activity, potentially prolonging time to maturation and reducing predatory performance.
Many studies have explored the effects of plastic particles on aquatic organisms. To date, however, few studies have reported on the effects of plastic particles on terrestrial invertebrates. Here, Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquito, prey) and Pardosa pseudoannulata (wolf spider, predator) were used to explore the transmission of nanoplastics (NPs) from aquatic to terrestrial invertebrates and to verify the effects of NPs in prey on predators. Mosquito larvae were exposed to 0, 200, and 1000 NPs mL polystyrene, respectively, and then fed to spiders when they matured. Results showed that ingestion of NP-exposed mosquitoes affected the growth, development, and behavior of P. pseudoannulata, and the intestinal tissue structure, intestinal flora composition, and related enzymatic activities were also impacted. These results indicate that after spiders ingested NP-exposed mosquitoes, their growth, development, and predation ability were affected. This may prolong time to maturation and decrease the ability of spiders to survive and reproduce in the environment. Thus, plastic particles likely have a wide range of effects on organisms as well as the whole ecosystem.