The fungicide cyproconazole (CPZ) inhibits the biosynthesis of ergosterol, an essential sterol component in fungal cell membrane and can also affect non-target organisms by its inhibitory effects on P450 monooxygenases. The predicted environmental concentration of CPZ is up to 49.05 μg/L and 145.89 μg/kg in surface waters and sediments, respectively, and information about CPZ toxicity towards non-target aquatic organisms is still limited. This study aimed to address the lack of ecotoxicological data for CPZ, and thus, an evaluation of the lethal and sub-lethal effects of CPZ was performed using two freshwater invertebrates (the midge Chironomus riparius and the planarian Dugesia tigrina). The estimated CPZ 48 h LC50 (95% CI) was 17.46 mg/L for C. riparius and 47.38 mg/L for D. tigrina. The emergence time (EmT50) of C. riparius was delayed by CPZ exposure from 0.76 mg/L. On the other hand, planarians showed higher tolerance to CPZ exposure. Sub-lethal effects of CPZ on planarians included reductions in locomotion (1.8 mg/L), delayed photoreceptors regeneration (from 0.45 mg/L), and feeding inhibition (5.6 mg/L). Our results confirm the moderate toxicity of CPZ towards aquatic invertebrates but sub-lethal effects observed also suggest potential chronic effects of CPZ with consequences for population dynamics.

Departamento de Agropecuária Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano campus Campos Belos Campos Belos Goiás 73840 000 Brazil Programa de Pós Graduação em Produção Vegetal Universidade Federal do Tocantins Campus Universitário de Gurupi Gurupi Tocantins 77402 970 Brazil

Departamento de Biologia and CESAM Universidade de Aveiro Campus Universitário de Santiago 3810 193 Aveiro Portugal

Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice Zatisi 728 2 389 25 Vodnany Czech Republic

Programa de Pós Graduação em Produção Vegetal Universidade Federal do Tocantins Campus Universitário de Gurupi Gurupi Tocantins 77402 970 Brazil Departamento de Biologia and CESAM Universidade de Aveiro Campus Universitário de Santiago 3810 193 Aveiro Portugal

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