The gastropod Osilinus atrata as a bioindicator of Cd,Cu, Pb and Zn contamination in the coastal waters of the Canary Islands

The aim of this study was to assess the use of Osilinus atrata (Gastropoda, Mollusca) as a biomonitor of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) within the coastal zone of the Canary Islands. In general, this top-shell snail showed high intraspecific variability in its tissue metal concentrations, which decreased according to the following sequence: Cu≥Zn>Cd≥Pb. In particular, Cd and Zn concentrations were higher in males than in females, whereas Cu concentrations increased slightly with weight, and Pb concentrations decreased. Cd and Cu concentrations showed notable spatial variability; Cd concentrations were higher in the eastern islands (Alegranza, La Graciosa, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura) and La Palma, whereas Cu levels were highest in some western islands (Gran Canaria, La Gomera and El Hierro). The arrival of waters from the African coastal upwelling, the pollution of coastal waters with agricultural fertilisers and the competition for uptake between metals appear to be the likely causes within these patterns of accumulation. In conclusion, O. atrata presents a great potential as a biomonitor of heavy metals, however, more information and further studies are necessary.     

Ecological and genetic characteristics of the distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bradybaena fruticum</Emphasis> Mull. (mollusca,gastropoda, pulmonata) in a forest-steppe landscape

The distribution pattern of the gastropod Bradybaena fruticum has been studied in a forest-steppe landscape. Analysis of the frequencies of polymorphic biochemical and conchological characters has yielded preliminary results on the characteristics of the species population structure whose formation was determined by a set of natural and anthropogenic factors.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 1, 2005, pp. 39–47.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Snegin.     

Effects of benzo(k)fluoranthene,a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon on DNA damage,lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in marine gastropod Morula granulata

Benzo(k)fluoranthene [B(k)F] is one of the widespread priority pollutants of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that has been scarcely studied for exposure assessment. With studies reporting a high amount B(k)F in sediments and water samples around the world, it has become vital to study its effects on aquatic organisms. In this connection, this study is conducted to study the effect of different concentrations of B(k)F (1, 10, 25 and 50?µg/L) in marine gastropod Morula granulata exposed in vivo for 96?h. A concentration-dependent increase in percentage tail DNA (TDNA) as measured by comet assay was observed in snails exposed to B(k)F. Exposure concentrations above 1?µg/L B(k)F showed significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxidation value in snails. After 96?h, SOD activity was found to be doubled for 50?µg/L B(k)F in comparison to control. A significant increase in catalase and glutathione S-transferase activity was observed at all exposure conditions at the end of the exposure time. Our study showed that B(k)F induces oxidative stress in snails which further lead to genotoxic damage. To our knowledge, this is the first study on oxidative stress and genotoxic damage in gastropods exposed to B(k)F.     

腹足类性畸变研究进展

用于船舶防污漆的三丁基锡(TBT)能引起腹足类雌性个体发生雄性化的畸变现象.本文介绍了引起腹足类性畸变的其他污染物,存在性畸变现象的腹足类种类,以及腹足类性畸变的形态特征、发生过程和畸变划分图等,分析了目前全球一些典型区域腹足类性畸变程度的现状,归纳了TBT引起腹足类性畸变分子机理的5种假说,最后展望了在腹足类性畸变方面需要进一步研究的几个重要问题.     

Laboratory culture of the freshwater benthic gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa （Reeve） and its utility as a test species for sediment toxicity

This study aimed to develop original laboratory culture and sediment toxicity testing protocols for the freshwater gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa(Reeve),a new potential species for sediment toxicity testing.B.aeruginosa was successfully cultured with an effective culture system under proposed laboratory conditions.Optimal ad libitum feeding levels for larvae,juveniles,and adults were 2.0,6.0,and 16.0 mg fish food/(snail·day),respectively.Mean survival rates of juveniles were higher than 90%.The snails could be sexed at 9 weeks of age,and their generation time is approximately 4 months.Reproduction continued all year around;the mean fecundity was 0.55 newborn/(female·day).The utility of this species for bioassays was evaluated in both 10-day and 28-day case studies with artificial sediments.The 10-day LC50 of Cu for larvae was 480 μg/g dry weight(dw),and the lowest observed effects concentration of Cu for survival and growth of larvae was 195 μg/g dw.Survival and growth are reliable indicators of acute toxicity.Larvae accumulated more Cu than adults.B.aeruginosa exhibited a higher sensitivity to Cu exposure than standard test species(Hyalella azteca and Chironomus tentans).The 28-day test of sediment toxicity with adults showed that fecundity was a robust endpoint indicator of reproductive toxicity,and the biochemical endpoints of superoxide dismutase,catalase,and glutathione could be used as sensitive biomarkers for Cu-induced oxidative damage.B.aeruginosa can be therefore recommended as a candidate for the standardization of the freshwater sediment toxicity test protocol.