Skip to main content

Nesma Abir Daas

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (3): 0587-0596

    Nesma Abir Daas, Asma Boukari & Noureddine Soltani
    The wedge clam Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Bivalvia Donacidae) as bioindicator for monitoring of the Annaba gulf (Algeria): measurements of lipid and malondialdehyde rates during the reproduction (Spring 2021)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.3.587.596

    ABSTRACT
    The present study aimed to assess the potential impact of pollution on total lipid levels as well as the response of a lipid peroxidation biomarker, malondialdehyde (MDA) in a sentinel and edible species, Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Bivalvia Donacidae). The samples were collected during the major spawning phase (spring) over three months (March, April, May) in year 2021 from two selected sites in the Gulf of Annaba: El Battah (reference site), and Sidi Salem (polluted site). Biochemical analyses showed a significant increase in total lipid levels determined in the mantle of D. trunculus in individuals from El Battah compared to those from Sidi Salem. The highest values are observed during the first two months (March, April), which corresponds to the accumulation of reserves at the beginning of reproduction. The lowest rates are recorded at the end of the breeding season (May) corresponding to the period of emission of gametes which is privileged by the increase in temperature. Sex differences reveal an accumulation of reserves and a greater energy allocation in females compared to males during reproduction. Measurement of MDA indicates an increase in rates recorded in individuals from Sidi Salem compared to those from El Battah. Moreover, sex differences demonstrate a greater response in females compared to males. Overall, the results obtained demonstrated that the Gulf of Annaba is subjected to stress conditions from anthropogenic origin that are more pronounced in the populations of D. trunculus from Sidi Salem, linked to the level of pollution of this site. Thus, D. trunculus appears to be an appropriate sentinel species for the assessment of ecotoxicological risk in the Gulf of Annaba.