Imposex en gasterópodos de América del Sur.

HUAQUÍN, L.G., SANTOS FERNANDEZ, M.A., PENCHASZADEH, P.E., CLEDÓN, M., BIGATTI, G., AVERBUJ, A., BRAGA DE CASTRO, I., OSÓRIO, C.

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Congreso; XX Encontro Braisleiro de Malacologia (EBRAM).; 2007

Universidade do Estado de Rio de Janeiro

Imposex of marine gastropod females is a well-known and wide-spread phenomenon resulting from the intensive  use, for about 30 years, of TBT and TPhT in protective  paintings for ships sailing in seas throughout the world. As this is a dose-dependent condition, the greater the product concentration, the greater the imposex effect. But it is also a species- dependent phenomenon since different species respond differently to organo-stannic compounds as shown by their imposex levels. On the other hand, it is known that the imposex effect is not permanent and can be reversed when population exposure to TBT ceases. Evidence of these reproductive alterations can be seen in Argentina, Brazil and Chile, but the gastropod situation in the other South American countries is unknown. Imposex has been detected in about 16 gasteropodan species. Most of these species are recognized as potential pollution indicators.  Some of them are even of commercial interest and potentially exploitable. This work attempts to contribute information related to species which have been affected so far at different locations in Argentina, Brazil and Chile, which make up part of the Southern Cone of South America.