Skip to content
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
chemistry
Is the reproduction of Donax trunculus affected by their sites of origin contrasted by their level of contamination?
Chemosphere, Volume 84, No. 10, Year 2011
Notification
URL copied to clipboard!
Description
The reproductive cycle of bivalves is regulated by several natural environmental factors but exposure to chemical pollutants can also interfere and may result in advanced or delayed spawning season. To our knowledge, the gametogenic cycle of the suspension-feeder bivalve Donax trunculus has not yet been used as biomonitoring tool in ecotoxicological surveys. The aim of this study was to examine over a year physiological reproductive endpoints (sex-ratio, gametogenic and energy reserve cycles) and biological indices (condition index, allometry) in D. trunculus originating from two sites differing by their level of contamination. Specimens were collected bimonthly from November 2008 to October 2009 from a polluted site (Radès Méliane) and a comparatively reference site (Sidi Jehmi) in the Gulf of Tunis (Tunisia). Five stages were depicted by histological examination of gonads: undifferentiated, developing, mature, spawn and spent. Differences in the gametogenic cycle according to the site of origin of bivalves were observed. The spawning period began in March and was maximum in May in bivalves from both sites, but the percentage of spawning animals was higher in the polluted site vs the reference site. The spawning period was shorter in animals from the polluted site comparatively to the reference site. Energy reserves (glycogen, lipids) were higher in March and May comparatively to the other studied periods in bivalves from both sites. Lower energy reserves levels were usually observed in animals from the polluted site compared to the reference site. Seasonal variations of the condition index were associated to the reproductive and nutritive status of bivalves. Differences in allometry were depicted between bivalves from both studied sites. If we try to link allometry, energy reserves and reproduction, it can be hypothesized that for bivalves from the reference site, energy reserves are allocated to gametogenesis and length growth. For bivalves from the polluted site, energy reserves could be devoted to tolerance to chemical stress and to reproductive processes. Therefore, D. trunculus appears as a suitable sentinel species for the assessment of the ecotoxicological risk of contaminants such as endocrine disruptors. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Tlili, Sofiène
France, Nantes
Institut Des Substances et Organismes de la Mer
France, Marne-la-vallee
Centre D'enseignement et de Recherche en Environnement Atmosphérique
Tunisia, Sousse
Institut Supérieur Agronomique de Chott Mériem
Metais, Isabelle
France, Nantes
Institut Des Substances et Organismes de la Mer
France, Marne-la-vallee
Centre D'enseignement et de Recherche en Environnement Atmosphérique
Ayache, Nadia
Tunisia, Tunis
University of Carthage, Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie
Boussetta, Hamadi
Tunisia, Sousse
Institut Supérieur Agronomique de Chott Mériem
Mouneyrac, C.
France, Nantes
Institut Des Substances et Organismes de la Mer
France, Marne-la-vallee
Centre D'enseignement et de Recherche en Environnement Atmosphérique
Statistics
Citations: 33
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.05.009
ISSN:
00456535
e-ISSN:
18791298
Research Areas
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Tunisia