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

PRIMOST M.A.; AVERBUJ A.; BIGATTI G.

Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, n.s.

SciELO-Argentina

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2015 vol. 17 p. 167 - 171

1853-0400

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).