Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in Zosterisessor ophiocephalus (Teleostei, Gobiidae) as indicators of environmental stress in the Venice lagoon

Franco, Anita; Malavasi, Stefano; Pranovi, Fabio; Nasci, Cristina; Torricelli, Patrizia

Abstract

The impact of environmental stress on the grass goby, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus, was studied at both biochemical and morphological levels, by comparing three sites in the Venice lagoon (the Northern, Central and Southern basins) which differ in terms of the degree of anthropogenic disturbance, in particular with regard to organic sediment contamination. At a biochemical level, the hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) enzyme activity was measured as a biomarker of the degree of organic pollution (in particular regarding contamination by PCBs and Dioxins). At a morphological level, the amount of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) with regard to four bilateral traits (postorbital length; otolith area; minimum otolith diameter; maximum and minimum otolith radii) was measured as a long term indicator of developmental stress. The EROD activity was higher in grass gobies from the Central basin, whereas the amount of FA was higher in the gobies collected from the Northern basin. Both measurements indicated that the Southern basin was affected by low levels of environmental stress (low EROD induction and a lower amount of FA). The results were discussed in the light of both the environmental differences among the three basins and the different levels of biological organisation at which the two indicators act.

Citation

Franco, A., Malavasi, S., Pranovi, F., Nasci, C., & Torricelli, P. (2002). Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in Zosterisessor ophiocephalus (Teleostei, Gobiidae) as indicators of environmental stress in the Venice lagoon. Journal of aquatic ecosystem stress and recovery, 9(4), 239-247. https://doi.org/10.1023/A%3A1024010813669

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2002
• Deposit Date: Mar 27, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Stress and Recovery
• Print ISSN: 1386-1980
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 239-247
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A%3A1024010813669
• Keywords: Environmental stress; EROD induction; Fluctuating asymmetry; Grass goby; Integrated responses; Venice lagoon; Zosterisessor ophiocephalus
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/535009
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1024010813669