Abstract
The population dynamics and morphological and functional characteristics (the concentration of hemocytes in the hemolymph and the level of histopathology) of the bivalve Anadara sp. cf. Anadara inaequi� valvis were studied in 2005-2007 on the North Caucasian coast of the Black Sea. A drastic decline in the abundance of the bivalves simultaneously with cadmium's exceedence in their soft tissues and bottom sedi� ments were recorded in May of 2007. Six months before the manifestation of the population effects, morpho� logical and functional changes (a decrease in the content of hemocytes in the hemolymph and an increase in the content of brown cells in the connective tissue and lipofuscinlike pigment granules in the digestive gland epithelium) in the bivalves were detected that were the consequences of an external effect (presumably, cad� mium intoxication). Thus, the morphological and functional changes of the individual Anadaras may be a promising tool for the early detection of the impact of pollutants on benthic ecosystems.
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