Genotoxicity of Two Heavy Metal Compounds-Lead Acetate and Mercuric Chloride in the Mosquito, Anopheles stephensi Liston (Culicidae: Diptera)

Abstract

The effects of two heavy metal compounds viz., lead acetate and mercuric chloride were studied on the polytene chromosomes in Anopheles stephensi. Various chromotoxic effects such as inversions, translocations, and breaks were observed. In the larvae treated with lead acetate, an increased incidence (as compared to controls) of asynapsis in the X-chromosome was also observed. From the present studies, it is evident that lead acetate is a weak mutagen, whereas the use of mercury needs more cautions.