Inhibition of molting by cadmium in the crab Chasmagnathus granulata (Decapoda Brachyura)
In: Aquatic Toxicology. Elsevier Science: Tokyo; New York; London; Amsterdam. ISSN 0166-445X; e-ISSN 1879-1514, more
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| Keywords |
Biological phenomena > Metamorphosis > Moulting
Chemical elements > Metals > Alkaline earth metals > Calcium
Chemical elements > Metals > Heavy metals > Cadmium
Fauna > Aquatic organisms > Aquatic animals > Shellfish
Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
Brachyura [WoRMS]; Chasmagnathus granulatus Dana, 1851 [WoRMS]; Decapoda [WoRMS]
PSW, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Samborombon Bay
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Rodríguez Moreno, P.A.
- Medesani, D.A.
- Rodríguez, E.M., correspondent
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| Abstract |
The effect of cadmium on molting of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata was assayed. Adult males were eyestalk-ablated, in order to synchronically induce molting, and were then chronically exposed to cadmium at 0.25 or 0.50 mg/l. At the highest concentration, a significant mortality was detected at the time of molting, in the few crabs that could reach the E stage. However, most of the crabs exposed from the beginning of the premolt period (D0 stage) to 0.50 mg/l of cadmium were arrested at the D1'' stage. This effect was not seen when crabs were exposed to the same cadmium concentration from either D1''' or D3 premolt stages. Crabs arrested by cadmium did not present any difference in the calcium content of carapace, compared to controls, while ecdysteroid levels of those crabs were similar to the ones of control crabs that were in the same premolt stage but could finally molt. These results suggest that cadmium could be preventing the normal peaking of ecdysteroids needed for molting. Since eyestalk-ablated crabs were used, a presumably direct effect of cadmium on Y-organ seems likely, by affecting cytoplasmatic calcium concentration and/or other actions. |
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