Meeting Abstract

P3.32  Sunday, Jan. 6  Reproductive effects of 17 beta-estradiol, bisphenol A, and tributyltin in Aiptasia pallida ROARK, AM*; THORN, HA; Furman University, Greenville, SC and Hood College, Frederick, MD; Hood College, Frederick, MD alison.roark@furman.edu

The potential for adverse effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on cnidarians is unknown. In our study, adult sea anemones (Aiptasia pallida) were subjected to three endocrine-active chemicals that are found in the marine environment. The 21-day exposure trial included treatments of 17 beta-estradiol, bisphenol A (BPA), and tributyltin (TBT) at concentrations found in the coastal marine environment and at concentrations 25X those found in this environment. We quantified the effects of these chemicals on reproductive endpoints including the number of adults producing offspring (lacerates) asexually, the number of lacerates produced, and lacerate development rate. We also quantified the density of algal symbionts in anemones. Our results provide insights into the effects of environmental endocrine disruptors in invertebrates.