Imposex in Stramonita haemastoma from coastal sites of Cartagena, Colombia

A study on the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma in Cartagena, Colombia, revealed high levels of imposex—where females develop male sexual characteristics due to chemical contamination—in coastal waters. At Birds' Island, 93.1% of females exhibited imposex, compared to 31.8% at La Bocana, with both sites showing signs of organotin compound contamination. The research compared morphometric variables and imposex frequency between high- and low-port activity locations, indicating significant differences linked to human influence. These findings highlight the environmental impact of antifouling paints on marine life in Cartagena's coastal ecosystems.

Sierra-Marquez, L., Sierra-Marquez, J., De la Rosa, J., & Olivero-Verbel, J. (2017). Imposex in Stramonita haemastoma from coastal sites of Cartagena, Colombia. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 78(3), 548–555. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.173301