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ABSTRACT. Phytal communities are characterized by spatial and temporal variation and are influenced by fluctuating biological and physical parameters. This study aimed to describe and compare the gastropods associated with Ulva spp., at three sites of the Espirito Santo coast with ferruginous laterite substrate and different modes of wave exposure. Camburi is characterized by the presence of iron ore particles. Samples were collected bimonthly. At each site, five sampling quadrats were launched at random in the intertidal region. Individuals of Ulva spp. were collected (2964 individuals) and 53 taxa were found. In Camburi the dominant species was Amphitalamus vallei (Barleeidae), while in Capuba and Manguinhos Eulithidium affine (Phasianellidae) predominated. The analyses indicated that Camburi is distinct from the other sites. The lesser wave impacts and the more complex structure of the algae in Camburi, due to the presence of iron ore, may explain this variation.Keywords: Mollusca, phytal, ferruginous laterite, intertidal, southeast Brazil.Comunidades de gasterópodos asociados con Ulva spp. en la zona litoral del sudeste de Brasil RESUMEN. Las comunidades phytales están influenciadas espacial y temporalmente por parámetros físicos y biológicos cambiantes. Este estudio describe y compara los gasterópodos asociados con Ulva spp. entre sitios en la costa de Espírito Santo, con sustrato laterítico ferruginoso y con diferentes modos de exposición al oleaje. Camburi está caracterizado por la presencia de partículas de mineral de hierro. Las muestras fueron recolectadas bimensualmente. En cada sitio se realizaron cinco cuadrantes de muestreo al azar en la region intermareal. Se encontraron 2.964 individuos y 53 taxa. En Camburi, la espécie dominante fue Amphitalamus valley, y en Capuba y Manguinhos fue Eulithidium affine. El análisis realizado indicó que Camburi es distinto de los otros sitios. El menor impacto de las olas y la estructura más compleja de las algas en Camburi, debido a la presencia de mineral de hierro, puede explicar esta diferencia. Palabras clave: Mollusca, phytal, laterita ferruginosa, intermareal, sudeste de Brasil.

This work reports the occurrence of imposex in the mesogastropod Cymatium parthenopeum parthenopeum in the coast of Espírito Santo (Southeastern Brazil) and evaluates the possible use of this species as a bioindicator of organotins (OTs) contamination. A total of 53 adult specimens were sampled at Formosa beach nearby the Vitoria main marina, which is a critical area for this kind of contamination. The animals were analyzed using a non-destructive protocol and a sub-sample of 7 animals (6 imposexed females and 1 control male) were dissected for a more detailed observation. Imposex development was observed in 39 out of 44 sampled females. Imposexed females showed pre-penis and penis development, but a vas deferens development similar to that of the males was not observed. No sign of sterility was found. A comparison with data from other species in this area indicates that C. parthenopeum parthenopeum, although less sensitive to imposex induction, can be used as biological indicator of OTs contamination.

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