Intersex in the clam Scrobicularia plana: A sign of endocrine disruption in estuaries?

Chesman, BS and Langston, WJ 2006 Intersex in the clam Scrobicularia plana: A sign of endocrine disruption in estuaries?. Biology Letters, 2 (3). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2006.0482

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Abstract/Summary

The phenomenon of endocrine disruption is currently a source of growing concern. Feminisation of male fish in UK rivers has been shown to occur extensively and has been linked with exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds present in the environment. Much less is known of the extent and scale of endocrine disruption in estuarine and marine ecosystems, particularly in invertebrates. We present evidence that intersex, in the form of ovotestis, is occurring in the common estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana, which is considered to be inherently gonochoristic. We report varying degrees in the severity of ovotestis in male S. plana, and have adopted and developed a grading method to assess the extent of this intersex condition. These findings indicate that S. plana offers potential for widespread screening and investigation of endocrine disruption, helping to focus remediatory strategy.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	Endocrine glands Intersex Ovotestis Scrobicularia plana Estuaries Sex reversal Animal reproductive organs Pollution effects
Subjects:
Divisions:	Marine Biological Association of the UK > Other (MBA)
Depositing User:	EPrints Services
Date made live:	05 Jul 2006
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2020 09:55
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/1540

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