Abstract
BackgroundHistopathological lesions and biometric variations in catfish species are statistically associated with chemical contaminant exposure. A histopathological and biometric database for the catfish Sciades herzbergii and Bagre bagre from São Luís Island (Port Area) and Caranguejos Island (Reference Area) is presented. Branchial and hepatic lesions were classified into three reaction patterns: 1) circulatory or inflammatory disturbances; 2) regressive changes; 3) progressive changes. This paper summarizes research efforts aimed at characterizing the biomonitoring potential of catfish from two islands in Brazil, which exhibit great habitat diversity and different levels of human intervention.ResultsThe weights and lengths of the catfish caught at the Port Area were smaller than those from the Reference Area. No histopathological lesions were observed in S. herzbergii examined at the reference site (Caranguejos Island). In contrast, 90% of S. herzbergii from sites located in the Port Area (São Luís Island) had one or more types of branchial and hepatic lesions. One or more of the five lesions were observed on 16 B. bagre from São Luís Island and Caranguejos Island.ConclusionThe utility of histopathological lesions and biometric data as sensitive indicators of the health of wild catfish populations has been demonstrated. Sciades herzbergii proved to be a better species for biomonitoring because it was more sensitive to the impacted site (Port Area) compared with the region relatively free of contaminants (Reference Area).
Highlights
Histopathological lesions and biometric variations in catfish species are statistically associated with chemical contaminant exposure
Gill lesions are used as sensitive biomarkers of environmental impacts on fish, and many researchers have recognized that histopathological examination is a valuable tool for assessment of environmental impacts on fish populations [5] because morphologic alterations can occur as gills are in permanent contact with the environment [6]
The detection of early warning signals through branchial and hepatic lesions in fish is ecologically relevant, economically beneficial, more efficient, and has the potential to be used as a type of biomarker [7]
Summary
Histopathological lesions and biometric variations in catfish species are statistically associated with chemical contaminant exposure. In São Luís Island (São Marcos Bay, Maranhão), the catfish Sciades herzbergii, a benthic fish common to Brazil coastal areas, has been identified as a model species for investigating the effects of contamination in estuarine systems [3]. Bagre bagre, another catfish, resides in both contaminated and clean estuarine environments around the São Marcos Bay. Bagre bagre, another catfish, resides in both contaminated and clean estuarine environments around the São Marcos Bay This species is suitable for this research because of its commercial importance and sedentary lifestyle
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