MORTALITY RATE OF MELANOIDES TUBERCULATA (O. F. MÜLLER, 1774), UNDER UNCONTROLLED LABORATORY CONDITIONS, IN FRONT OF DIFFERENT LAMPS

Abstract

Humanity has always had a close relationship with mollusks. They are an important source of protein in food, and are used for decoration, aquarium hobby and jewelry production. In addition to maintaining the balance of ecosystems, they can act as hosts for trematodes of medical and veterinary importance. Numerous fish find valuable sources of food and energy in these animals. Among this biodiversity is Melanoides tuberculata, frequently used as an object of study for numerous purposes. As with most organisms, light is an important factor that affects not only their behavior and biology. This study aimed to measure the possible effects of different types of lamps on M. tuberculata. The specimens were captured in Rio Grande, near Água Comprida/MG. In the vivarium, five animals were separated into oxygenated aquariums and the physicochemical parameters were measured. Six experimental groups were used, each subjected to a different type of light as a control. The treatments were an ultraviolet C lamp; an ultraviolet A lamp; an incandescent lamp; a cool white compact fluorescent lamp; and a warm white compact fluorescent lamp. The measured variables behaved as expected, with no statistically significant fluctuations. The survival of the animals fluctuated significantly, according to the treatment used. The parametric test indicated a “p” value of 0.000. Thus, it is interpreted that the variations were not random, but rather, attributed to the different treatments. The UVC lamp caused the death of all organisms. The treatment with the highest survival rate was the warm white compact fluorescent lamp.