Effect of sublethal concentrations of sumithion on limb regeneration of fresh water field crab Oziotelphusa senex senex

The initiation and progress of regeneration following the removal of the left 4th walking leg were altered in the crab (Oziotelphusa senex senex) by exposure to sumithion. Depending on the concentration used, sumithion caused a complete inhibition of regeneration, a delay of initiation of limb bud development or a reduction of limb bud growth rate. Crustacean limb regeneration can also be used as a sensitive bioassay for studying the effects of environmental pollutants.