Slowly seeing the light: an integrative review on ecological light pollution as a potential threat for mollusks

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Hussein A.A.A.; Bloem E.; Fodor I.; Baz E.-S.; Tadros M.M.; Soliman M.F.M.; El-Shenawy N.S.; Koene J.M.

Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Publication Date: 19 December 2020

Volume / Issue: Volume 28 / Issue 5

Pages: 5036–5048

ISSN: 9441344

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11824-7

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 33341922

Document Type: Review

Access: All Open Access; Green Open Access; Hybrid Gold Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Hussein A.A.A., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Giza, Egypt, Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije University, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081, Netherlands; Bloem E., Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije University, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081, Netherlands; Fodor I., NAP Adaptive Neuroethology, Department of Experimental Zoology, Balaton Limnological Institute, Centre for Ecological Research, Tihany, 8237, Hungary; Baz E.-S., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt; Tadros M.M., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Giza, Egypt; Soliman M.F.M., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt; El-Shenawy N.S., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt; Koene J.M., Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije University, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081, Netherlands

Abstract

Seasonal changes in the natural light condition play a pivotal role in the regulation of many biological processes in organisms. Disruption of this natural condition via the growing loss of darkness as a result of anthropogenic light pollution has been linked to species-wide shifts in behavioral and physiological traits. This review starts with a brief overview of the definition of light pollution and the most recent insights into the perception of light. We then go on to review the evidence for some adverse effects of ecological light pollution on different groups of animals and will focus on mollusks. Taken together, the available evidence suggests a critical role for light pollution as a recent, growing threat to the regulation of various biological processes in these animals, with the potential to disrupt ecosystem stability. The latter indicates that ecological light pollution is an environmental threat that needs to be taken seriously and requires further research attention. © 2020, The Author(s).

Keywords

Artificial light; Biorhythm; Mollusca; Reproduction; Slugs; Snails; Zeitgeber; Animals; Darkness; Ecosystem; Environmental Pollution; Gastropoda; anthropogenic effect; behavioral response; dark; ecological impact; light pollution; literature review; mollusc; physiology; animal; pollution

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 27

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