I am working on pollution studies in India using sea urchin as the major candidate..could you tell me how important it is to also consider the sex-based difference in bioaccumulation of pollutants in this organism..is it mandatory unless there is plenty of samples here.
Untill you have done the work, you will not know whether there is a difference between sexes. Unless there is compelling evidence from earlier studies.
So determine the sex of each individual and at the end decide what to do, all animals together or sexes separated.
In general, one should study sex diifrences in marin species. In fish, for example, detoxifying enzames (eg CYT 459) is lower in females.
In sea urchin we have less experienc. But if you study also effects on reproductive success in relation to contaminants you should consider effect on sperm and eggs. Best wishe and success
Angela
Orren M.G., Eagle G.A., Hennig H.F.-K.O. and Green A. Variations in trace metal content of the mussel Choromytilus meridionalis (KR) with season and sex // Mar.Poll.Bull. 1980. V.11. P.253-257.
Mauri M., Orlando E. Variability of zinc and manganese concentrations in relation to sex and season in the bivalve Donax trunculus // Mar/ Poll. Bull. 1983. V. 14., N 9. P.342-346.
Ikuta K. Distribution of heavy metals in female and male of a scallop Patinopecten (Mizuhopecten) yessoensis // Bull. Fac. Agr. Mujazaki Univ. 1985. V. 32, N1. P. 93-102. That authors say "yes", particularly in gonads before spawning.
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