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Effects of Sublethal Chronic Copper Exposure on the Growth and Reproductive Success of the Florida Apple Snail (Pomacea paludosa)

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Abstract

Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) were exposed to three concentrations of copper (Cu), in water (8 μg/L, 16 μg/L, 24 μg/L), for one generation to examine uptake and the effects on survival, growth, and reproduction of the F0 generation and survival, growth, and whole body Cu of the F1 generation. During a 9-month Cu exposure, apple snails exposed to 8–16 μg/L Cu had high Cu accumulation (whole body, foot, viscera, and shell) and significantly reduced clutch production (8–16 μg/L) and egg hatching (16 μg/L). Apple snails exposed to the 24 μg/L Cu had low survival and the treatment was therefore terminated. Concentrations of minerals (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) in tissues were maintained regardless of Cu exposure, but the distribution of Cu in the body of snails differed, depending on exposure concentrations. Higher exposure concentrations resulted in a greater percentage of Cu accumulated in the viscera of the snail. Copper exposure to the F0 generation did not affect the survival, growth, or whole body Cu concentrations in the F1 generation. These finding are significant, given the importance of the Florida apple snail in the Everglades food chain. Changes in the abundance of apple snail populations, as a result of Cu exposure, could ultimately affect foraging success of predators.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Robert Frakes of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Pamela Bachman (FIU), and Kathy Moore (Clemson University) for their assistance with completing this study. We thank Philip Darby of the University of West Florida for technical support on the Florida apple snail. This is SERC contribution No. 403.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment Laboratory, Southeast Environmental Research Center, Department of Environmental Studies, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA

    Emily C. Rogevich, Tham C. Hoang & Gary M. Rand

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA

    Emily C. Rogevich

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  1. Emily C. Rogevich
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  2. Tham C. Hoang
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  3. Gary M. Rand
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Correspondence to Gary M. Rand.

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Rogevich, E.C., Hoang, T.C. & Rand, G.M. Effects of Sublethal Chronic Copper Exposure on the Growth and Reproductive Success of the Florida Apple Snail (Pomacea paludosa). Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 56, 450–458 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9231-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9231-5

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