Duke, Norman, and Watkinson, Andrew J. (2002) Chlorophyll-deficient propagules of Avicennia marina and apparent longer term deterioration of mangrove fitness in oil-polluted sediments. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 44 (11). pp. 1269-1276.

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Abstract

Genetic mutations in mangrove plants have been correlated with petroleum oil concentrations in tidal sediments. The particular mutation is seen as ‘albino’ propagules and these are notably viviparous and can be observed in some genera, like Rhizophora, while attached to parent trees. The propagules lack chlorophyll and normal green coloration leaving them yellow or red. They may become established and grow leaves but they die once seedling reserves are depleted. For this reason, this abnormality is considered lethal, and is seen as a measure of genetic deterioration where frequencies are relatively high. Recent findings of the mutation in Australia, and in another mangrove genus, Avicennia, as well as its comparable correlation with oil concentrations in sediments, adds greatly to the importance of earlier observations for Rhizophora in the Caribbean region. The important questions now are: how widespread is the mutation, how many genera and species of mangroves are affected, and are they all correlated with oil in sediments? Clearly, the management implications are enormous since the presence of high mutant concentrations are indicative of longer term deterioration of mangrove biota and habitat in oil polluted environments.

Item ID:	34950
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1879-3363
Keywords:	mangrove; plants; Avicennia; genetics; albino; chlorophyll-deficient; propagules; pollution; oil spill; sediments; Moreton Bay; SE Queensland; Australia; IWP
Funders:	Brisbane River Management Group (BRMG), Brisbane City Council (BCC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Date Deposited:	30 Sep 2016 04:18
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 40% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0603 Evolutionary Biology > 060303 Biological Adaptation @ 20% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0699 Other Biological Sciences > 069901 Forensic Biology @ 40%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 20% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960503 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Environments @ 40% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9611 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water > 961102 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water in Coastal and Estuarine Environments @ 40%
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