STUDY OF SEASONAL VARIATIONS OF THE CONDITION INDICES IN THE MUSSEL Mytilus galloprovincialis: RELATIONSHIP WITH PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS, BIOMARKERS AND METALS IN THE REGION OF SIDI IFNI (SOUTH OF MOROCCO)

Abstract

The aim of this work is studying the correlation between seasonal variations of physiological condition indices, as physiological state and growth indicator, and biomarkers of pollution (Acetylcholinesterase, Glutathione S-transferase, Catalase, Malondialdehyde and Metallothioneins) in Mytilus galloprovincialis in three sites representative of Sidi Ifni’s coastline (South Atlantic of Morocco): Mirleft site (S1), Cheikh Sidi Ali Ifni (S2) and Tazrout site (S3). The study showed a pronounced variability in the biological and physiological behavior of mussel populations from Sidi Ifni coasts. The comparison of the results of physiological condition indices in Mytilus galloprovincialis with environmental factors and biochemical markers shows that the species is contaminated in the Ifni site compared to Mirleft and Tazrout.