Variability of imposex development and reproductive alterations in the Patagonian gastropod Buccinanops globulosus inhabiting a polluted harbourarea

• Published in: Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales (1999) Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 167 - 171
• Main Authors: Primost, Mónica Angelina, Averbuj, Andrés, Bigatti, Gregorio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia e Instituto Nacional de Investigación de las Ciencias Naturales 01-12-2015
• Subjects: ZOOLOGY; Offspring; Pollution; Reproduction; Descendencia; TBT; Maritime traffic; Tráfico marítimo; Contaminación; Reproducción
• ISSN: 1853-0400
• DOI: 10.22179/revmacn.17.409

The aim of this work was to study the reproductive output and imposex parameters of the caenogastropod Buccinanops globulosus inhabiting a harbour area, with high maritime traffic and pollution. The results showed higher imposex incidence for non-gravid females than for gravid females (carrying egg capsules). Among imposex-affected females, mean penis size was significantly larger in non-gravid (3.4 mm) than gravid (1.5 mm) females. In B. globulosus usually a single juvenile hatches per egg capsule, but in this study capsules with multiple embryos were found. Overall, these results suggest a relationship between imposex development and alterations on the reproductive output of B. globulosus females living in adverse environmental conditions (polluted area).