Differential toxicity of copper, zinc, and lead during the embryonic development of Chasmagnathus granulatus (Brachyura, Varunidae).
Ovigerous females of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulatus were exposed to copper (0.01 and 1 mg/L), zinc (0.05, 1, and 10 mg/L), or lead (0.01 and 1 mg/L) during early, late, or whole embryonic development. None of the assayed heavy metals produced a significant mortality of females, neither a decrease in the number of hatched larvae nor a decrease in the egg incubation time, but several morphological abnormalities were detected in hatched larvae. The abnormalities were classified in three categories: eye, body pigmentary, and body morphological abnormalities. Those larvae with eye and body pigmentary abnormalities, particularly those involving retinal pigments and chromatophores, showed the highest incidence by exposure to the assayed metals. In addition, embryos were more susceptible to copper and zinc during the late period of development, whereas the effect of lead was greater during the early period of embryogenesis. Some teratogenic effects observed in C. granulatus embryos exposed to heavy metals, particularly the hypertrophy and hypopigmentation of eyes observed in the laboratory at a lead concentration as low as that reported for the natural environment, could be considered as sensitive biomarkers for this kind of pollutant.
Lavolpe
Mariano
M
Laboratory of Comparative Animal Physiology, Department of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Greco
Laura López
LL
Kesselman
Daniela
D
Rodríguez
Enrique
E
D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000196:embryology*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D015032:Zinc / Q000633:toxicity*
D014873:Water Pollutants; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc