title: Multi-level biological responses in Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Brachyura, Ucididae) as indicators of conservation status in mangrove areas from the western atlantic.
abstract: There is a global lack of knowledge on tropical ecotoxicology, particularly in terms of mangrove areas. These areas often serve as nurseries or homes for several animal species, including Ucides cordatus (the uçá crab). This species is widely distributed, is part of the diet of human coastal communities, and is considered to be a sentinel species due to its sensitivity to toxic xenobiotics in natural environments. Sublethal damages to benthic populations reveal pre-pathological conditions, but discussions of the implications are scarce in the literature. In Brazil, the state of São Paulo offers an interesting scenario for ecotoxicology and population studies: it is easy to distinguish between mangroves that are well preserved and those which are significantly impacted by human activity. The objectives of this study were to provide the normal baseline values for the frequency of Micronucleated cells (MN‰) and for neutral red retention time (NRRT) in U. cordatus at pristine locations, as well to indicate the conservation status of different mangrove areas using a multi-level biological response approach in which these biomarkers and population indicators (condition factor and crab density) are applied in relation to environmental quality indicators (determined via information in the literature and solid waste volume). A mangrove area with no effects of impact (areas of reference or pristine areas) presented a mean value of MN‰<3 and NRRT>120min, values which were assumed as baseline values representing genetic and physiological normality. A significant correlation was found between NRRT and MN, with both showing similar and effective results for distinguishing between different mangrove areas according to conservation status. Furthermore, crab density was lower in more impacted mangrove areas, a finding which also reflects the effects of sublethal damage; this finding was not determined by condition factor measurements. Multi-level biological responses were able to reflect the conservation status of the mangrove areas studied using information on guideline values of MN‰, NRRT, and density of the uçá crab in order to categorize three levels of human impacts in mangrove areas: PNI (probable null impact); PLI (probable low impact); and PHI (probable high impact). Results confirm the success of U. cordatus species' multi-level biological responses in diagnosing threats to mangrove areas. Therefore, this species represents an effective tool in studies on mangrove conservation statuses in the Western Atlantic.
authors.affiliation: UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências (IB), Campus do Litoral Paulista (CLP), Laboratório de Biologia de Crustáceos/CRUSTA, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Par - Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia Laboratório de Biologia de Crustáceos-Praça, Infante D. Henrique, Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista (CLP), s/n, Parque Bitaru, 11330-900 São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: duarte.mepi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Luis Felipe de Almeida
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências (IB), Campus do Litoral Paulista (CLP), Laboratório de Biologia de Crustáceos/CRUSTA, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Par - Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia Laboratório de Biologia de Crustáceos-Praça, Infante D. Henrique, Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista (CLP), s/n, Parque Bitaru, 11330-900 São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: carol.souza.bio@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Caroline Araújo de
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: UNISANTA - Univ Santa Cecília, Laboratório de Ecotoxicologia, Oswaldo Cruz 266, 11045-907 Santos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: caio.biomar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Caio Rodrigues
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Nobre
authors.affiliation: UNIFESP - Univ Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências do Mar, Campus Baixada Santista, Avenida Almirante Saldanha da Gama 89, Ponta da Praia, 11030400 Santos, SP, Brasil. Electronic address: camilo.seabra@unifesp.br.
authors.forename: Camilo Dias Seabra
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências (IB), Campus do Litoral Paulista (CLP), Laboratório de Biologia de Crustáceos/CRUSTA, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Par - Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia Laboratório de Biologia de Crustáceos-Praça, Infante D. Henrique, Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista (CLP), s/n, Parque Bitaru, 11330-900 São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: pinheiro@clp.unesp.br.
authors.forename: Marcelo Antonio Amaro
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003386:Brachyura / Q000502:physiology*; D001938:Brazil; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods; D054750:Ecotoxicology / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D059551:Toxicity Tests, Subacute / Q000379:methods; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Cytotoxicity; Density; Environmental safety; Genotoxicity; Mangrove; Ucides cordatus