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

Author

Listed:
  • Lorenzo Tancioni

    (Laboratorio di Ecologia Sperimentale ed Acquacoltura, Dipartimento di Biologia, "Tor Vergata" University, Rome (RM), Via Cracovia 1 00134, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Riccardo Caprioli

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo (TE), Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ayad Hantoosh Dawood Al-Khafaji

    (Department of Biology, College of Science, Basrah University, Basrah 61004, Iraq)

  • Laura Mancini

    (Dipartimento di Ambiente e Connessa Prevenzione Primaria, National Institute of Health (ISS), Via Regina Elena 299, Roma (RM) 00181, Italy)

  • Clara Boglione

    (Laboratorio di Ecologia Sperimentale ed Acquacoltura, Dipartimento di Biologia, "Tor Vergata" University, Rome (RM), Via Cracovia 1 00134, Italy)

  • Eleonora Ciccotti

    (Laboratorio di Ecologia Sperimentale ed Acquacoltura, Dipartimento di Biologia, "Tor Vergata" University, Rome (RM), Via Cracovia 1 00134, Italy)

  • Stefano Cataudella

    (Laboratorio di Ecologia Sperimentale ed Acquacoltura, Dipartimento di Biologia, "Tor Vergata" University, Rome (RM), Via Cracovia 1 00134, Italy)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorenzo Tancioni & Riccardo Caprioli & Ayad Hantoosh Dawood Al-Khafaji & Laura Mancini & Clara Boglione & Eleonora Ciccotti & Stefano Cataudella, 2015. "Gonadal Disorder in the Thinlip Grey Mullet ( Liza ramada , Risso 1827) as a Biomarker of Environmental Stress in Surface Waters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:2:p:1817-1833:d:45528
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefania Marcheggiani & Roberto Spurio & Lucia Cimarelli & Duarte Tito & Laura Mancini, 2015. "Scientific Symposium “Small Solution for Big Water-Related Problems: Innovative Microarrays and Small Sensors to Cope with Water Quality and Food Security”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Stefania Marcheggiani & Emilo D'Ugo & Camilla Puccinelli & Roberto Giuseppetti & Anna Maria D'Angelo & Claudio Orlando Gualerzi & Roberto Spurio & Linda K. Medlin & Delphine Guillebault & Wilfried Wei, 2015. "Detection of Emerging and Re-Emerging Pathogens in Surface Waters Close to an Urban Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-23, May.

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