Imposex in populations of dogwhelksThaisspp. in relation to shipping intensity and mariculture activity in east Asia

Abstract
Imposex was recorded in samples of dogwhelks Thais spp. from each of the sites surveyed in Hong Kong and Singapore, and the majority of those in Phuket and Penang. There was no imposex in samples from Langkawi. The most advanced symptoms were those from shores close to commercial harbours, marinas and mariculture sites, suggesting that tributyltin (TBT) is a primary cause of the condition. All females were categorised as sterile from four sites on Hong Kong. In these cases recruitment has probably occurred as a result of the dispersal of larvae from fecund populations elsewhere. However, severe imposex was surprisingly localised, even in Hong Kong. There was evidence of decreasing symptoms of imposex with increasing distance from centres of shipping activity.

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