Thais (Stramonita) rustica (Lamarck, 1822) (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Thaididae), a potential bioindicator of contamination by organotin northeast Brazil

摘要

The use of antifouling paints containing the biocide compound tributyltin (TBT) has been shown asan inductor of imposex in neogastropods mollusks. Imposex is characterized by the development ofmale features in females, mainly the appearance of a no functional vas deferens and penis. Samplesof Thais rustica were collected in eight sites in the metropolitan area of Natal city, Rio Grande doNorte state, northeast Brazil, and examined for occurrence of imposex, which was found in manyfemales. The higher imposex levels were presented by samples from sites near city harbor.