Toxic effects of latex of Croton tiglium on Lymnaea acuminata and Channa punctatus

The aqueous latex extracts of Croton tiglium Linn. plant belonging to family Euphorbiaceae, was found to have strong molluscicidal activity against freshwater snail Lymnaea (Radix) acuminata Lamarck. Exposure of sub-lethal doses of latex extracts of this plant on snail Lymnaea (Radix) acuminata Lamarck over 24h or 96h caused significant change in carbohydrates and nitrogenous metabolism in nervous, hepatopancreas and ovotestis tissue. Non-target fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) (Channidae [Ophicephalidae]) (which shares the habitat with these snails) was also exposed to sub-lethal doses for 96h exposure periods for measuring its potential, the environmental toxicity (if any). Sub-lethal exposure of fish shows significant alteration in carbohydrate and nitrogenous metabolism in muscle, liver and gonadal tissues. Withdrawal study also shows that there is a partial recovery in snail’s tissues but nearly complete recovery in fish tissues after 7th day of the withdrawal of treatment, which supports the view that plant products are safer in use as molluscicides than synthetic pesticides