detection and decay of Cry1Ab Bt-endotoxins within non-target slugs, Deroceras reticulatum (Mollusca: Pulmonata), following consumption of transgenic corn

With greater acreages being planted to transgenic crops, the exposure of non-target species to bioengineered material is increasing. Although the slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Muller), is a major agricultural pest throughout the world, Bacillus thuringiensis crops were not intended to target these sp...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biocontrol science and technology 2006-02, Vol.16 (1-2), p.77-88
Main Authors: Harwood, J.D, Obrycki, J.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adverse effects
Bacillus thuringiensis
biological control
biological control agents
corn
decay rates
Deroceras reticulatum
detection
detection protocols
ELISA
endotoxins
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Mollusca
non-target effects
nontarget organisms
predators
Pulmonata
risk assessment
transgenic plants
Zea mays
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:With greater acreages being planted to transgenic crops, the exposure of non-target species to bioengineered material is increasing. Although the slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Muller), is a major agricultural pest throughout the world, Bacillus thuringiensis crops were not intended to target these species. Molluscs are readily consumed by many generalist predators; if these Cry1Ab-endotoxins are taken up by slugs during feeding on transgenic plants, predators would therefore be exposed to elevated endotoxin concentrations. Using a biochemical assay, we tested the hypothesis that slugs fed transgenic corn would accumulate detectable quantities of Cry1Ab-endotoxins for prolonged periods of time. Characterization indicated that at low dilution rates, Cry1Ab-endotoxins were detectable in slugs fed Bt-corn but no reactivity was elicited by specimens fed non-transgenic food. It was possible to detect Cry1Ab-endotoxins in slugs for 95.9 h after consumption of Bt-corn. Although quantities were small, these long detection periods indicated potential exposure of generalist predators to low concentrations of transgenic insecticidal toxins in the field.
ISSN:0958-3157
1360-0478
DOI:10.1080/09583150500257216