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Maternal transfer of trace elements in the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus)

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Abstract

The maternal transfer of trace elements is a process by which offspring may accumulate trace elements from their maternal parent. Although maternal transfer has been assessed in many vertebrates, there is little understanding of this process in invertebrate species. This study investigated the maternal transfer of 13 trace elements (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) in Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) eggs and compared concentrations to those in adult leg and gill tissue. For the majority of individuals, all trace elements were transferred, with the exception of Cr, from the female to the eggs. The greatest concentrations on average transferred to egg tissue were Zn (140 µg/g), Cu (47.8 µg/g), and Fe (38.6 µg/g) for essential elements and As (10.9 µg/g) and Ag (1.23 µg/g) for nonessential elements. For elements that were maternally transferred, correlation analyses were run to assess if the concentration in the eggs were similar to that of adult tissue that is completely internalized (leg) or a boundary to the external environment (gill). Positive correlations between egg and leg tissue were found for As, Hg, Se, Mn, Pb, and Ni. Mercury, Mn, Ni, and Se were the only elements correlated between egg and gill tissue. Although, many trace elements were in low concentration in the eggs, we speculate that the higher transfer of essential elements is related to their potential benefit during early development versus nonessential trace elements, which are known to be toxic. We conclude that maternal transfer as a source of trace elements to horseshoe crabs should not be overlooked and warrants further investigation.

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Acknowledgments

We thank C. Garnett, S. Napham and I. Hazan for help with sample collection and laboratory assistance; B. Jackson for the ICP-MS analysis; and two anonymous reviewers whose helpful comments improved this manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by the Wilderness Medical Society Herbert N. Hultgren grant awarded to N.S., A.B., and J.D., and the 2015/2016 Adelphi University Faculty Development Grant awarded to J.D.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, 11549, USA

    Aaron K. Bakker & Nicholas Santangelo

  2. Environmental Studies Program, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, 11530, USA

    Jessica Dutton

  3. Department of Biology, Texas State University, Aquatic Station, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA

    Jessica Dutton

  4. Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Riverhead, NY, 11901, USA

    Matthew Sclafani

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  1. Aaron K. Bakker
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  2. Jessica Dutton
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Correspondence to Aaron K. Bakker.

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Bakker, A.K., Dutton, J., Sclafani, M. et al. Maternal transfer of trace elements in the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus). Ecotoxicology 26, 46–57 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-016-1739-2

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