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Rapana venosa as an indicator species for TBT exposure over decadal and seasonal scales

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Abstract

Imposex and decline in reproductive output in marine gastropods have been linked to tributyltin (TBT) exposure. This study describes Chesapeake Bay, USA, veined rapa whelk Rapana venosa imposex incidence and sex ratios from 1998 to 2009. Tissue TBT concentrations (ng g−1) were examined with respect to whelk sex, size, and water temperature at the time of collection, and also to egg case size, hatching success, and veliger diameter. Imposex incidence declined and population sex ratios moved closer to parity from 1998 to 2009. Observed TBT concentrations (ng g−1) were higher in James River than in Ocean View whelks with higher TBT concentrations observed in males than in females. Exponential declines in TBT concentrations from female-specific first to last clutches within a reproductive season were observed, indicating that whelks depurate TBT through egg case deposition. Egg capsule hatching success and veliger size were similar for female and imposex whelks. The R. venosa imposex levels observed in Chesapeake Bay apparently do not affect the production, release, or viability of larvae.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge all the people who contributed whelks to our bounty program (1998–2009), especially the watermen. The bounty program was made possible through funding from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science/College of William & Mary, The Virginia Marine Resources Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Virginia General Assembly. Their support is appreciated. Courtney Harris Burge, Karen Caposella, Emily Chandler, Meredith Fagan, Stephanie Gera, James Green, Rebecca Green, Meghan Harris, Stephanie Haywood, Rhonda Howlett, David Kerstetter, Adriana Picariello, Erin Reilly, Matthew Robinson, Melissa Southworth, George Vadas, and Erica Westcott assisted with whelk collection and processing. Melissa Southworth, Meghan Harris, Meredith Fagan, and Erin Reilly assisted with laboratory analyses and data entry. Ellen Travelstead, George Vadas, and James Greene assisted with TBT analyses. This manuscript includes data from the M.S. theses of Catherine Ware Kilduff and E. Alex Jestel (both School of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA). This is contribution number 3295 from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

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  1. Juliana M. Harding

    Present address: Department of Marine Science, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC, 29528-6054, USA

  2. E. Alex Jestel

    Present address: U.S. Army, Edgewood, MD, 21010, USA

  3. Catherine Kilduff

    Present address: Center for Biological Diversity, 351 California Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA, 94104, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA

    Juliana M. Harding, Roger Mann & Catherine Kilduff

  2. Department of Environmental and Aquatic Animal Health, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA

    Michael A. Unger & E. Alex Jestel

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  1. Juliana M. Harding
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Correspondence to Juliana M. Harding.

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Communicated by J. P. Grassle.

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Harding, J.M., Unger, M.A., Mann, R. et al. Rapana venosa as an indicator species for TBT exposure over decadal and seasonal scales. Mar Biol 160, 3027–3042 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2292-7

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