Effect of copper on hatching of larvae of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata (Decapoda, Brachyura).

ZAPATA, V., LOPEZ GRECO, L.S. Y E. RODRÍGUEZ.

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY

SETAC PRESS

Año: 2001 vol. 20 p. 1579 - 1583

0730-7268

Ovigerous females of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata were exposed to 0.05, 0.1 and 3 mg/L of copper during the incubation period. Regarding egg loss, a higher effect was observed at higher copper concentrations: 80% of the females lost their eggs at 0.5 mg/L, whereas no hatching was seen in those exposed to 3 mg/L. A significant decrease was found in the number of hatched larvae in females exposed to 0.5 mg/L, as was a significant decrease in the duration of the incubation period. In addition, several morphological abnormalities were seen and observed. Hydropsy and atrophy of the dorsal spine, pleon, and maxillepeds occurred at the higher copper concentrations, as found in previous studies with other pollutants. Hyperpigmentation of the cephalothorax and pleon was the only abnormality observed at every concentration assayed. Hypopigmented eyes were also evident. This pathology showed that among all defects observed at 0.5mg/L, hypopigmented eyes had the highest incidence and might be specific to copper.