Can industrial pollution cause intersexuality in the amphipod, Echinogammarus marinus?
Mar Pollut Bull
; 53(1-4): 100-6, 2006.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16288786
ABSTRACT
Following recent studies, in which intersex and/or reproductive abnormalities have been observed in a number of crustaceans in association with pollution, the prevalence of intersexuality in the amphipod, Echinogammarus marinus was monitored at sites receiving industrial discharges for one year in 2002/2003. Based upon reports of intersexuality occurring in amphipods due to feminising microsporidian parasites, the occurrence, and role of microsporidian parasites in causing intersex was investigated through histological examination. Results demonstrate a significantly higher prevalence of intersex organisms was found at sites receiving industrial discharges throughout the year when compared to a reference site, with the phenotype of intersex (intersex male and intersex female) varying in its dominance between impacted sites. Intersex specimens were significantly more likely to be infected with microsporidian parasites at sites receiving discharges than reference sites, however relatively few specimens (normal or intersex) were infected at reference sites suggesting parasitism is not the only cause of intersex. The direct/indirect role of pollution in the observed intersexuality is discussed.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Poluentes Químicos da Água
/
Anfípodes
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mar Pollut Bull
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido