Effects of 60Co gamma irradiation on behavior and gill histoarchitecture of giant fresh water prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (DE MAN)

• 60Co exposures effect the behavior and histology of gill of prawn M. rosenbergii.
• Alteration in the gill structure does not affect the physiology or lethality.
• Self regulating mechanisms might be the reason for preventing from the lethality.
• High dose increases the adverse behavior pattern and alteration of gill histology.

Present study was designed to observe the effects of 60Co gamma radiation in behavioral and histological changes in the gills of giant fresh water prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The adult prawns were irradiated with four different dose levels (3 mGy, 30 mGy, 300 mGy and 3000 mGy) and the control group (without irradiation) was maintained separately. Behavioral changes like hyperactivity, loss of balance, reduced swimming rate, slower rate of food intake and convulsions were observed in higher dose levels of 300 mGy and 3000 mGy. The histological alterations such as accumulated haemocytes in haemocoelic spaces, abnormal gill tips, lifted lamellar epithelium, swollen and fused lamellae, hyperplasic, necrotic, clavate–globate and complete disorganization of lamellae were observed in 60Co gamma irradiated prawns. Significantly more considerable histological alterations were observed in the highest dose level of 3000 mGy, but no mortality was evidenced. This study serves as biomonitoring tool to assess the radiation pollution in the aquatic environment.