title: Marine pollution effects on the southern surf crab Ovalipes trimaculatus (Crustacea: Brachyura: Polybiidae) in Patagonia Argentina.
abstract: We compared the carapace shape and thickness as well as the energy density of Ovalipes trimaculatus inhabiting areas comprising a gradient of marine pollution: high, moderate and undetected, in the Nuevo gulf (Patagonia Argentina). The carapace shape was evaluated by means of individual asymmetry scores (=fluctuating asymmetry) whereas the carapace thickness was assessed by measuring the carapace dry weight. The energy density was analyzed through its negative relationship with water content in muscle tissue. The individual asymmetry scores as well as the percentage of water content in muscle tissue were proportional to the marine pollution gradient, whereas the carapaces thickness did not differ among sampling sites. Our results are consistent with previous findings and demonstrate the direct effect of marine pollution on other taxa different from gastropods, cephalopods and polyplacophora and add to long-standing concerns about detrimental effects caused by marine pollution on the benthic community of the Nuevo gulf.
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional Patagónico, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn (U9120ACD), Chubut, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Comahue, Quintral 1250 (8400), Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina. Electronic address: lezcano@cenpat-conicet.gob.ar.
authors.forename: Aníbal Hernán
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lezcano
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional Patagónico, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn (U9120ACD), Chubut, Argentina.
authors.forename: María Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rojas Quiroga
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional Patagónico, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn (U9120ACD), Chubut, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ana Laura
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Liberoff
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional Patagónico, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn (U9120ACD), Chubut, Argentina.
authors.forename: Silvina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van der Molen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D003386:Brachyura / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: Carapace shape; Fluctuating asymmetry; Swimming crab