Lack of imposex in the muricid Morula granulate from Rowley Shoals, northwestern Australia

Abstract

Dissection of 197 specimens of the thaid Morula granulata from Rowley Shoals, on the outer continental shelf 300 km west of Broome, northwestern Australia, revealed that none were affected by imposex. While imposex is known to be caused by tributyltin (TBT), there are also other possible causes such as copper, paint matrix and environmental factors. In addition to the relatively low TBT levels in their tissue, the other environmental factors which can cause imposex may also be missing from Bedwell Island.

Key words:

• imposex
• muricid
• Morula granulata
• Australia