Phenotypic defects in newborn Gammarus fossarum (Amphipoda) following embryonic exposure to fenoxycarb

- Gammarus fossarum embryos were exposed to the insect growth regulator fenoxycarb.
- Fenoxycarb exposure impaired eye pigmentation in newborn individuals.
- Appendages length and midgut tissue were also altered.
- The embryo gastrulation phase was particularly sensitive.
- Limited effects were observed on developmental homeostasis.

During morphogenesis numerous morphogenetic factors ensure the production of a target phenotype. By disrupting these processes, a toxic exposure during this period could cause an increase of phenotypic defects. In the present study, embryos of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus fossarum were exposed throughout the embryogenesis to increasing concentrations of fenoxycarb (0, 0.5 µg L−1, 5 µg L−1 and 50 µg L−1), a growth regulator insecticide analog of the insect juvenile hormone. In addition, to identify morphogenesis' sensitive period, embryos were exposed during either early or late embryonic development to 5 µg L−1 of fenoxycarb. In newborn individuals from exposed embryos, three phenotypes were investigated: i) eye pigmentation, ii) length of the antenna and gnathopod of both left and right sides and iii) midgut tissue state. Developmental homeostasis was assessed by measuring fluctuating asymmetry and inter-individual variance of both the antenna and gnathopod. Exposure to 5 µg L−1 and 50 µg L−1 fenoxycarb throughout the embryonic development induced a delayed hatching and altered appendages size. Moreover, exposure to 5 µg L−1 throughout the embryogenesis and during the gastrulation phase impaired eye pigmentation, while exposure to 50 µg L−1 resulted in increased tissue damages of the midgut. No significant increase of fluctuating asymmetry was observed in exposed individuals, neither for the antenna nor for the gnathopod. These results demonstrate that fenoxycarb can alter embryonic development of G. fossarum without disrupting developmental homeostasis.