Article in Press, Corrected Proof
David J. Marshall <marshall@pixie.udw.ac.za>, and Anisha Rajkumar
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Durban-Westville, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa
Abstract
Nassarius kraussianus populations in the Durban and Richards Bay harbours (along the eastern seaboard of southern Africa) and in the Knysna lagoon (southern Cape coast) showed imposex development, confirming bioavailability of tributyltin (TBT) in these waterways. Incidence of imposex (which ranged from 29% to 100%) and relative penis length of females (RPL; which ranged from 1.3% to 55.2%) were markedly variable among populations from different sites in each waterway, indicative of localised effects of TBT contamination. Shell length of the snails was apparently not correlated with contamination level, as assessed from imposex measurements. While population imposex features are easy to determine and often provide a sensitive biomarker of TBT exposure, the discussion outlines reservations when extrapolating these to general ecological situations. Additionally, this study represents the first published report on the topic for sub-Saharan, African harbours, some of which seem remarkably less affected than suggested for other world regions.
Author Keywords: Tributyltin; Organotin; Antifouling paints; South Africa; Nassarius kraussianus; Biomarker
Corresponding author. Tel.: +27-31-2044-410/+27-31-2044-460; fax: +27-31-2044-790
Mindfully.org note: An imposex female snail develops both female and male genital systems, and the male organs are superimposed physically over the female organs. Imposex typically results in female sterilization. TBT is a marine antifouling paints to prevent marine organisms from attach themselves to boat hulls. TBT is extremely potent.
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