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

Ahmed A.A. Hussein*, Erik Bloem, István Fodor, El Sayed Baz, Menerva M. Tadros, Maha F.M. Soliman, Nahla S. El-Shenawy, Joris M. Koene

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)5036-5048
    Number of pages13
    JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research
    Volume28
    Issue number5
    Early online date19 Dec 2020
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Feb 2021

    Keywords

    • Artificial light
    • Biorhythm
    • Mollusca
    • Reproduction
    • Slugs
    • Snails
    • Zeitgeber

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