TY - JOUR
T1 - Endocrine disruption in a marine amphipod? field observations of intersexuality and de-masculinisation
AU - Ford, Alex
AU - Fernandes, T.
AU - Rider, S.
AU - Read, P.
AU - Robinson, C.
AU - Davies, I.
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Intersexuality has been found in both males and females of the marine/estuarine amphipod, Echinogammarus marinus, at polluted and reference sites in East Scotland. Polluted sites had significantly more intersex specimens than reference sites, however the cause of intersexuality is unclear. Discriminant analysis of morphometric data showed that normal male specimens from the most polluted site resembled pooled intersex males, suggesting that subtle endocrine disruption (ED) maybe occurring in these otherwise apparently normal males. The main discriminating character was gnathopod size, recognised to be under androgenic gland control. The association of distinctive morphometry with intersexuality may provide a new approach to biomarkers of ED in crustaceans. The opportunities for other novel biomarkers, for example biochemical or behavioural markers, may also be explored through study of intersex animals.
AB - Intersexuality has been found in both males and females of the marine/estuarine amphipod, Echinogammarus marinus, at polluted and reference sites in East Scotland. Polluted sites had significantly more intersex specimens than reference sites, however the cause of intersexuality is unclear. Discriminant analysis of morphometric data showed that normal male specimens from the most polluted site resembled pooled intersex males, suggesting that subtle endocrine disruption (ED) maybe occurring in these otherwise apparently normal males. The main discriminating character was gnathopod size, recognised to be under androgenic gland control. The association of distinctive morphometry with intersexuality may provide a new approach to biomarkers of ED in crustaceans. The opportunities for other novel biomarkers, for example biochemical or behavioural markers, may also be explored through study of intersex animals.
U2 - 10.1016/j.marenvres.2004.03.013
DO - 10.1016/j.marenvres.2004.03.013
M3 - Article
SN - 0141-1136
VL - 58
SP - 169
EP - 173
JO - Marine Environmental Research
JF - Marine Environmental Research
IS - 2-5
ER -
