Enzymatic and Histological Biomarkers in Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Decapoda) in an Industrial Port on the North Coast of Brazil

Biological responses in gills and hepatopancreas of Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Ocypodidae) as indicative of environmental contamination in mangrove areas in Maranhão State, Brazil

“…CW: carapace width, CL: carapace length, TW: total weight. -Neta et al, 2014Oliveira et al, 2019). Benetti & Negreiros-Fransozo (2004), observed similar results, studying crabs collected in a mangrove impacted by anthropic actions, where it was observed that the crabs presented smaller sizes than those collected in less impacted areas.…”

“…When this structure shows a normal pattern, the pilaster cells attach to epithelial cells, which will have a T-shape in the secondary lamellar. Carvalho-Neta et al (2012) and Oliveira et al (2019) analyzing the sediment in the study area identified high levels of heavy metals. Also, Sousa et al (2013) using biomarkers in catfish, Oliveira et al (2019) and Carvalho-Neta et al (2019), using biomarkers in crabs collected in São Marcos' Bay, identified significant histopathological responses in the gills of these organisms.…”

“…Carvalho-Neta et al (2012) and Oliveira et al (2019) analyzing the sediment in the study area identified high levels of heavy metals. Also, Sousa et al (2013) using biomarkers in catfish, Oliveira et al (2019) and Carvalho-Neta et al (2019), using biomarkers in crabs collected in São Marcos' Bay, identified significant histopathological responses in the gills of these organisms. These data suggest that the port area in São Marcos' Bay, which is an important habitat for crabs, is being influenced by the impacts caused by the port activities in that region.…”

“…Also, mangroves serve as a nursery for many species of ecological and economic importance (Bayen, 2012). In this context, mangroves in Maranhão (Brazil) is home to several species of crustaceans, where the effects of impacts from the port complex in São Marcos' Bay on these aquatic organisms have already been reported (Carvalho-Neta et al, 2012Sousa et al, 2013;Oliveira et al, 2019), which requires a thorough investigation of the impacts in this region (Carvalho-Neta et al, 2012Sousa et al, 2013;Oliveira et al, 2019). This study aimed to identify alterations in gills and hepatopancreas of crabs as indicative of environmental contamination in mangroves areas subject to chemical effluents from port activities in Maranhão, Brazil.…”

“…Crustaceans easily accumulate pollutants present in the aquatic environment, as well as through biomagnification by the trophic chain, representing an important route of contamination to public health (Pinheiro et al, 2013). Thus, these organisms present high sensitivity to the xenobiotics available in the environment (Carvalho-Neta et al, 2019;Oliveira et al, 2019).…”