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Little evidence suggests microplastics negatively impact embryo growth of a viviparous shark Prionace glauca
Summary
Researchers studied whether microplastics transfer from mother blue sharks to their embryos in the Central and Western Pacific Ocean. While microplastic particles were detected in shark embryos using infrared spectroscopy, the study found little evidence that the contamination negatively affected embryo growth or development. The findings suggest that blue shark embryos may be relatively resilient to current levels of microplastic exposure, though long-term effects remain unknown.
Marine microplastic pollution has become a pressing global ecological issue, particularly concerning maternal transfer in marine species. In this study, we investigated the reproductive parameters of the blue shark Prionace glauca from the Central and Western Pacific and characterized embryo microplastics in contamination using laser infrared spectroscopy. Results revealed that the litter size of P. glauca ranged from 21 to 42 individuals (average of 31 individuals). A power function relationship was identified between the total length and weight (both dry or wet), as well as the eye diameter of embryos. Microplastics were detected in 93 % of embryos, with abundance reaching up to 10.05 ± 12.89 items/individual and were sized 20.00 to 805.00 μm. The majority were fragments and granules in shape, and polyethylene and fluororubber in polymer type. A moderate positive correlation was found between microplastic size and embryo condition index, suggesting that microplastic size may potentially influence embryo development. Although no negative effect of microplastic abundance on embryo growth was detected, the presence of highly toxic polymers combined with the Near Threatened status of P. glauca, further studies still need to monitor the reproductive and transgenerational toxicity of microplastics in this species and other viviparous marine taxa. This study provides the first documented evidence of microplastic contamination in pelagic shark embryos, offering valuable baseline data for research on chondrichthyan reproductive biology and the ecological impacts of microplastics.