Chlorophyll-deficient propagules of Avicennia marina and apparent longer term deterioration of mangrove fitness in oil-polluted sediments

Duke, Norman;Watkinson, Andrew J.

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.

Journal

Marine Pollution Bulletin

Publication Name

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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ISBN/ISSN

1879-3363

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Publisher

Elsevier

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DOI

10.1016/S0025-326X(02)00221-7