The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of gonadal alterations in the thinlip grey mullet (Liza ramada) as a biological indicator in assessing aquatic ecosystems health, with particular emphasis to river ecosystems exposed to sewage discharges. For this purpose, the reproductive status and the presence of gonadal alterations were studied in 206 mullets collected from two sites on the low course of the Tiber River, downstream of a large urban sewage treatment plant and in the estuarine area, and from an uncontaminated pond considered as reference site. Intersex and irregularly shaped gonads were observed in 20.8% of the mullets from the most polluted site, and intersex gonads in 10.3% of those from the estuarine area. No alterations were detected in the fish from the reference site, which also showed distinct stages of gonadal development. Conversely, unclear stages of testicular and ovary development were observed in the fish from the two polluted river sites. The results of this study suggest that L. ramada may represent a sentinel species in environmental risk assessment and support the use of gonadal alterations of this species as a bioindicator for extensive monitoring of pollution in lower stretches of rivers and estuarine areas.

Tancioni, L., Caprioli, R., Dawood Al Khafaji, A.h., Mancini, L., Boglione, C., Ciccotti, E., et al. (2015). Gonadal Disorder in the Thinlip Grey Mullet (Liza ramada, Risso 1827) as a Biomarker of Environmental Stress in Surface Waters. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 12(2), 1817-1833 [10.3390/ijerph120201817].

Gonadal Disorder in the Thinlip Grey Mullet (Liza ramada, Risso 1827) as a Biomarker of Environmental Stress in Surface Waters

TANCIONI, LORENZO;BOGLIONE, CLARA;CICCOTTI, ELEONORA;CATAUDELLA, STEFANO
2015-01-01

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of gonadal alterations in the thinlip grey mullet (Liza ramada) as a biological indicator in assessing aquatic ecosystems health, with particular emphasis to river ecosystems exposed to sewage discharges. For this purpose, the reproductive status and the presence of gonadal alterations were studied in 206 mullets collected from two sites on the low course of the Tiber River, downstream of a large urban sewage treatment plant and in the estuarine area, and from an uncontaminated pond considered as reference site. Intersex and irregularly shaped gonads were observed in 20.8% of the mullets from the most polluted site, and intersex gonads in 10.3% of those from the estuarine area. No alterations were detected in the fish from the reference site, which also showed distinct stages of gonadal development. Conversely, unclear stages of testicular and ovary development were observed in the fish from the two polluted river sites. The results of this study suggest that L. ramada may represent a sentinel species in environmental risk assessment and support the use of gonadal alterations of this species as a bioindicator for extensive monitoring of pollution in lower stretches of rivers and estuarine areas.
gen-2015
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore BIO/07 - ECOLOGIA
Settore BIO/06 - ANATOMIA COMPARATA E CITOLOGIA
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
fish; mugilidae; gonadal disorders; bioindicators; water pollution; biomonitoring; ENDOCRINE-DISRUPTING CHEMICALS; FLOUNDER PLATICHTHYS-FLESUS; MUGIL-CEPHALUS; REPRODUCTIVE IMPAIRMENT; INTERSEX CONDITION; SEXUAL DISRUPTION; CHELON-LABROSUS; SEWAGE EFFLUENT; UNITED-KINGDOM; WILD FISH
EMTREE drug terms: biological marker surface water water pollutant GEOBASE Subject Index: bioindicator biomarker biomonitoring ecosystem health environmental risk environmental stress fish risk assessmen tsurface water water pollution EMTREE medical terms: animal experiment aquatic environment Article biological monitoring controlled study developmental stage environmental monitoring environmental stress estuary female fish gonad development gonadal disease intersex Liza ramada male non human ovary development pond risk assessment river river ecosystem sewag esewage treatment plant testis developmen turban area water pollution analysis animal chemically induced disorder of sex development drug effects ecosystem fish disease gonad Italy pathology physiological stress river Smegmamorpha toxicity veterinary water pollutant Regional Index: Italy Tiber River Species Index: Liza ramada Mugilidae MeSH: Animals Disorders of Sex Development Ecosystem Female Fish Diseases Gonads Italy Male Rivers Smegmamorpha Stress, Physiological Water Pollutants, Chemical
Research Areas:Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health Web of Science Categories:Environmental Sciences; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health Metrics in Scopus 4 Citations 70th Percentile 1.29 Field-Weighted Citation Impact 11 Mendeley Readers 50th Percentile 1 Tweet 60th Percentile WOS Metrics All Times Cited Counts 3 in All Databases 3 in Web of Science Core Collection
Tancioni, L., Caprioli, R., Dawood Al Khafaji, A.h., Mancini, L., Boglione, C., Ciccotti, E., et al. (2015). Gonadal Disorder in the Thinlip Grey Mullet (Liza ramada, Risso 1827) as a Biomarker of Environmental Stress in Surface Waters. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 12(2), 1817-1833 [10.3390/ijerph120201817].
Tancioni, L; Caprioli, R; Dawood Al Khafaji, Ah; Mancini, L; Boglione, C; Ciccotti, E; Cataudella, S
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/110090
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