Shell shape as indicator of pollution in marine gastropods affected by imposex

Abstract

Tributyltin (TBT) and other pollutants are present in Patagonia, and are associated with maritime traffic and human activities. Cause–effect relationship between TBT and imposex development in females of marine gastropods is well documented. We tested whether the imposex incidence associated with TBT pollution is related to detectable shell-shape variations in the edible marine snail (Buccinanops globulosus). We compared shell shape of B. globulosus in six contiguous sites on a gradient of imposex and maritime traffic, by using geometric morphometric analysis. Our results indicated that the registered differences in shell shape are associated to imposex incidence in the harbour zone where previous works have detected TBT pollution. Gastropods from areas of high maritime traffic presented a rounded shell with a shorter spire, and a smaller relative size of the shell aperture, whereas the opposite shape (fusiform shape, elongated-spired shell and bigger relative size of the shell aperture) occurred in gastropod shells from areas of low maritime traffic. Shell variation registered here could be useful to detect TBT pollution in populations of B. globulosus and another neogastropod species.

Morphometric Modifications in Canthon quinquemaculatus Castelnau 1840 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae): Sublethal Effects of Transgenic Maize?

“…In addition to providing important information on species ecology, body shape may also indicate the effects of possible environmental stressors on individuals. These environmental stressors may be natural, such as ultraviolet radiation [ 9 ], or may be anthropic, like pollution [ 10 ]. Morphological alterations may imply possible ecological consequences, such as reduction in feed and displacement capacities [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Species density and shell morphology of gold ring cowry (Monetaria annulus, Linnaeus, 1758) (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Cypraeidae) in the coastal waters of Ambon Island, Indonesia

“…The data of this research (Table 2) reveal that the length, width, and height of the shell of M. annulus at Latuhalat station were the largest of all, while the M. annulus at the Hutumuri station contained the smallest shell size of M. annulus. The length of the shell of M. annulus is largely determined by the waves and strong currents of sea waves (Tissot 1984), as well as the presence of pollutants in the waters (Primost et al 2015). The characteristic size of the shell of M. annulus at Hutumuri station was relatively smaller than the shell size at the other stations.…”

Shell alterations in limpets as putative biomarkers for multi-impacted coastal areas

“…Several descriptors have been used as proxies for assessing environmental quality in coastal areas worldwide (Rosado et al, 2015). The use of morphometric geometric parameters for investigating variations in gastropod shell shape exposed to different levels of contamination has been recently demonstrated (M arquez et al, 2011;Primost et al, 2016). This technique allows comparison of several descriptors related to shape and size of organisms and/or structures (Rohlf and Marcus, 1993), being a valuable tool for assessing health of organisms exposed to environmental pollutants.…”

“…Studies investigating pollution effects recorded in mollusc shell have often related alterations to tributyltin (TBT) contamination (Laitano et al, 2013;M arquez et al, 2017Nuñez et al, 2012;Primost et al, 2016). This antifouling biocide is considered one of the most man-made toxic substances and the most potent androgenic chemical ever introduced in significant amounts into marine environments (Almeida et al, 2007).…”