Short communication: Effects of acute copper exposure on ionic regulation of the freshwater crab Aegla castro

Abstract

Aeglids are unique freshwater decapods whose habitats are being impacted by metallic compounds, such as copper (Cu). Thus, we investigated the effects of acute Cu exposure on ionic regulation of Aegla castro. For this, male specimens in intermolt were collected from a reference stream and acclimated for 5 days in laboratory. After which, crabs were exposed to 11 μg L−1 Cu (Cu11) or only to water (CTR) for 24 h. Hemolymph samples were withdrawn for the determination of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations and the posterior gills removed for the analysis of Na+/K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, H+-ATPase, and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activities. Increased Ca2+ and Mg2+ hemolymph concentrations were observed in animals from Cu11, when compared with CTR group. In addition, decreased activity of CA was observed in animals exposed to Cu. In the current study, alterations in Ca2+ and Mg2+concentrations probably indicate that animals activated exoskeleton reabsorption mechanisms, characteristic of the premolt. Therefore, increased Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations in hemolymph may indicate that a biochemical signal associated with the molting cycle was triggered by Cu exposure. Despite the known harmful effects of Cu on osmoregulatory enzymes, here we observed decreased activity only in CA. However, decreased activity of CA could trigger both acid-base imbalance and ionic disruption, since CA provides H+ and HCO3− for intracellular pH maintenance, and underpins Na+ and Cl− for ionic regulation. Therefore, understanding how aeglids respond to metal contamination in laboratory conditions is crucial to assess their potential as an alternative biological model for aquatic ecotoxicology.