Abstract
Methylmercury (meHg) inhibits limb regeneration and molting in fiddler crabs. The present study shows that, inUca pugilator from a clean site, the inhibitory effects of 0.5 Μg/ml meHg were unaffected by short term pre-exposure to low levels (0.06 or 0.1 Μg/ml) of meHg under laboratory conditions. Chronic exposure tests onUca pugnax showed that the inhibitory effects of meHg varied with the sex of the crabs and the level of contamination at the site of collection. These effects were less pronounced in crabs from an area subjected to heavy metal pollution (Piles Creek, Linden, NJ) than in crabs from a relatively cleaner area (Big Sheeps-head Creek, Tuckerton, NJ). The order of susceptibility to meHg according to its interaction with sex and site from least susceptible to most was: Piles Creek females, Piles Creek males, Tuckerton males, Tuckerton females. Residue analysis showed that all groups absorbed equivalent amounts of mercury, but only the females from Piles Creek were able to depurate to near control levels after two weeks in clean water.
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Callahan, P., Weis, J.S. Methylmercury effects on regeneration and ecdysis in fiddler crabs (Uca pugilator, U. pugnax) after short-term and chronic pre-exposure. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 12, 707–714 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01060755
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01060755