Utilização de biomarcadores genéticos e bioquímicos em Hypostomus ancistroides (Ihering, 1911) (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) em um rio urbanizado

Abstract

Due to the great population growth and the anthropization of the natural environments, the urbanized water bodies are affected daily with dumping and, as a result, resident species suffer several impacts. Hypostomus ancistroides is part of the fauna of the freshwater environments of South America and has interactions with the benthic environment in the rivers that occur. Due to their trophic niche, individuals of this species come into direct contact with waste and pollution from urbanization and, for this reason, this species becomes an important bioindicator of environmental quality. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the possible genotoxic effects of the exposure of H. ancistroides to environmental conditions in an urbanized river (Toledo river) in the municipality of Toledo - South Brazil. Thus, the genetic biomarker test of The Erythrocyte Nuclear Abnormalities (ENA) was used, in addition to enzymatic tests. Species of the species were collected at two points in the Toledo River and, for comparison purposes, at one point in an undeveloped river in the rural area of Toledo (Santa Quitéria River). After collection and morphological identification, individuals were euthanized, weight (g) and total length (cm) were obtained for condition factor analysis, and then blood samples were collected for micronuclei test and muscle and liver samples, to assess the enzymatic level. The results showed that ENAs test indicated some morphonuclear anomalies in cells, mainly from specimens from the site 2 in Toledo River however, there were no significant differences between points, only between seasons. Regarding the enzymatic analysis, the individuals from point 2 were also the ones who showed the most alterations pointed out by this biomarker. The condition factor revealed significant changes among individuals belonging to point 2 when compared to individuals collected in the rural area of the municipality during the winter period. Thus, it was found that the Toledo River presents an imminent risk of contamination for the animals that live there, taking into account its level of degradation.