FISHERY BULLETIN: VOL. 76, NO. 4 



Figure 8. — Deformed fin rays in winter flounder from New York Bight. External appearance (above) and radiograph (be- 



low i 



(From Sindermann et al. 1978. 



GENETIC ABNORMALITIES 



The mutagenic properties of a number of chem- 

 ical contaminants including heavy metals, pes- 

 ticides, and petroleum-derived polycyclic hydro- 

 carbons have been demonstrated in experimental 

 studies with terrestrial animals (Huberman 1975; 

 Longwell"). Fish eggs can be vulnerable to con- 



taminant effects from the body burden of the par- 

 ent female and from exposure to contaminants in 

 surface water and/or sediments (depending on 

 where in the water column spawning and de- 

 velopment occur). Sperm cells are sensitive to 

 contaminants, and eggs are especially sensitive 

 during meiosis and early cleavage stages. Fur- 

 thermore, chemical mutagens can reduce the rate 



ll 



"Longwell, A. C. 1975. Mutagenicity of marine pollutants 

 as it could be affecting inshore and offshore marine fisheries. 



734 



Middle Atl. Coastal Fish. Cent., Natl. Mar. Fish. Serv., Inf. Rep. 

 79, 72 p. 



