Imposex em volutídeo endêmico do Nordeste do Brasil

CASTRO, I.B, MEIRELLES, C.A.O, MATTHEWS-CASCON, H, ROCHA-BARREIRA, C., BIGATTI, G. Y PENCHASZADEH

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Congreso; 24- 1er Congresso Brasileiro de Biología Marinha.; 2006

Universidade Federal Fluminense

ABSTRACT: Imposex is characterized by the development of masculine sexual organs, like penis and vas deferens, in gastropod females. Almost 120 mollusk species are known to present imposex characteristics when they are exposed to tin organic compounds contamination as Tributyltin (TBT) and Triphenyltin (TPT). These compounds are used as biocide agents in antifouling paints, commonly used to covering boats to prevent incrustations and corrosion. Five gastropod species are known to present imposex in Brazil: Stramonita haemastoma, Stramonita rustica, Leucozonia nassa, Cymathium parthenopeum and Olivancillaria vesica. Monitoring works on organotin contamination using gastropod imposex as biomarker has been done in Northeast Brazil. The purpose of the present paper is to report the first record of imposex observed in the endemic gastropod species from Northeast Brazil, Voluta ebraea. 11 adult animals were observed, 2 females from Pacheco Beach (Ceará State) presented imposex, which had regular female reproductive organs (capsule gland, oviduct and sperm-ingesting gland) and an abnormal penis. As imposex only occurs in mollusks that were exposed to organotin compounds typically found at harbors, marinas, shipyards and areas with high shipping activities, probably contamination of Pacheco Beach is a consequence of a shipyard activity which is located in the nearest areas. Descriptors: Imposex, Voluta ebraea, Endemic, Brazil, Organotin