Investigations on the stress effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers)

Abstract

The present investigation has addressed the eflects of PHC contaminated culture medium on the morphology, physiology and behaviour of shrimps] The shrimp Metapenaeus dobsoni is an important member of the crustacean animal community abounding the oil contaminated benthic regions of Cochin backwater system. Since it is known that true pollutants can disrupt the sustainability of ecosystems by its eflect on species, populations and communities, a representative species was used for the study. The results discussed in this work is bound to help in understanding the ecotoxicant resistance that the animal may display under toxic conditions compared to aynamic steaay-state systems in nature