Populations Collapses in Marine Invertebrates Due to Endocrine Disruption: A Cause for Concern?

Area of Science:

• Environmental toxicology
• Marine biology
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Early assessments of endocrine disruptors (EDs) showed weak evidence of effects in humans and wildlife.
• A 2012 revision highlighted clear risks of EDs to human and wildlife health, primarily focusing on vertebrates.
• Invertebrates, crucial to ecosystems, are also vulnerable to endocrine disruption, yet poorly studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the ecological significance of endocrine disruption in marine invertebrate taxa.
• To review known impacts of EDs on ecologically and economically important marine invertebrates.
• To stimulate further research into ED effects on marine invertebrates.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on endocrine disruption in marine invertebrates.
• Ecological perspective on the vulnerability of various invertebrate groups.
• Case study of imposex in marine gastropods as a bioindicator.

Main Results:

• Imposex in marine gastropods is a well-documented indicator of antifouling pollution.
• Bivalves and cephalopods, important food sources, may accumulate EDs, posing risks to human consumers.
• Evidence suggests widespread vulnerability of marine invertebrates to endocrine disruptors.

Conclusions:

• Endocrine disruptors present a significant, understudied threat to marine invertebrate populations and ecosystems.
• Consumption of contaminated marine invertebrates can directly transfer EDs to humans.
• Urgent need for expanded research on endocrine disruption in diverse marine invertebrate taxa is emphasized.