Endocrine mediated "imposex" phenomenon was investigated and recorded in the muricoid gastropod species Thais carinifera during the two decades from 1993 to 2012 at three (3) sites out of six (6) localities investigated along the Sindh and Balochistan coast, Pakistan. The VDS stages 1 to 4 were apparent in Thais carinifera. The intensity of imposex has remained comparatively low in the populations of harbours in close proximity to port Mohammad Bin-Qasim, namely; Old Korangi Fish Harbour (OKFH) and New Korangi Fish Harbour (NKFH) where shipping activities are sporadic as compared to those in Manora Channel and the adjoining Karachi Port area where intensive shipping activity is rather frequent. Target species found to be good bioindicators have shown a marked decrease over the prolonged study period. Investigations show that this decrease is solely due to globally imposed effective bans on tributyltin (TBT) based antifouling paints over the past decade.
AbstrActDescriptors: Imposex, Gastropod, Biomonitoring, Endocrine Disruption, Karachi Coast. O fenômeno hormonal "imposex" foi investigado e relatado para o gastrópode muricídeo Thais carinifera durante duas décadas, de 1993 a 2012, em três das seis localidades investigadas ao longo da costa de Sindh and Balochistão, Paquistão. Os estágios VDS 1 a 4 foram aparentes na espécie. A intensidade do imposex permaneceu comparativamente baixa nas populações dos portos próximos do porto de Mohammad Bin-Qasim, especificamente em Old Korangi Fish Harbour (OKFH) e New Korangi Fish Harbour (NKFH), onde as atividades portuárias são esporádicas quando comparadas às de Manora Channel e à área adjacente do Porto de Karachi, onde a atividade portuária é mais intensa. A espécie alvo mostrou-se um bom bioindicador por ter apresentado decréscimo acentuado ao longo do extenso período de estudo. As investigações mostraram que esse decréscimo é apenas devido ao efetivo banimento globalmente imposto da tributiltina (TBT) como base de tintas anti-incrustantes ocorrido na década passada.
resumoDescritores: Imposex, Gastrópodes, Biomonitoramento, Perturbações Endócrinas, Costa de Karachi.
A total of five native oyster species namely; Crassostrea gryphoides, C. madrasensis, C. glomerata, Ostrea nomades and Saccostrea cucullata were collected from three sites: Buleji of Sindh coast; Hub and Jiwani of Balochistan coast, Pakistan. Parasitic inclusion was present only in histological sections of O. nomades and S. cucullata at Buleji. Individuals of O. nomades found to be infected with protozoan parasite Nematopsis species and Proctoeces sp. trematode parasite. Additionally, unknown parasitic cyst was observed at outer epithelium in a male gonadal section of S. cucullata. There is no previous record in literature of pathogens in oyster species at Buleji.
Two female specimens of bioinvasive spider crab Acanthonyx euryseroche Griffin & Tranter, 1986 were collected alive in association with brown seaweeds from lower intertidal zone of Buleji (24 o 50'356"N 66 o 49'368"E) situated in the vicinity of the largest shipping port along the Karachi coast, Pakistan (Northern Arabian Sea). Collected Acanthonyx euryseroche transported to laboratory and housed in sea water filled glass aquarium for further taxonomic studies. Any previous published record of occurrence of this species is not available from Pakistan. Main feature of this species observed to have seaweeds leafy structures affixed on their head region that they use for camouflage thus hide themselves inside the seaweeds for protection purpose. A. euryseroche has been declared invasive alien species to the Indo-Pak region. Invasive alien species (IAS) spread outside of their natural distribution and considered a threat to indigenous biodiversity. Entry of this alien species in Pakistani water could be destructive to the native species. Hence, occurrence of A. euryseroche requires more rigorous study, monitoring and management plan.
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