Research Article

Toxicity of Commercial Neem Extract to Earthworms (Pheretima peguana)

Figure 3

Histological changes in transverse sections of epidermis and body wall (a, b), and intestinal epithelium (c, d) in Pheretima peguana following a 48-h exposure to commercial neem extract (NEEM) containing 3.13 μg cm−2 Aza concentration on filter paper. (a) Negative control; intact muscles and epidermis. (b) Treated with NEEM showing expansion of spaces between the circular muscles and reduced epidermal and body wall thickness. (c) Control intestinal epithelium. (d) Treated with NEEM showing increased intestinal epithelial thickness. e: epidermis; b: body wall; i: intestinal epithelium; l: lumen; c: coelom; ch: chloragogenous tissue; g: gap between neighboring cells in circular and longitudinal muscles; s: setae. (Bar for each section is 25 μm.)
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