We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Nanoplastic exposure induces exoskeletal misdevelopment in juvenile Tachypleus tridentatus: Compensatory hardening versus molecular suppression
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered that chronic exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics disrupts the exoskeletal development process in juvenile Chinese horseshoe crabs, an endangered species. The study found that nanoplastics trigger a compensatory hardening response while simultaneously suppressing key molecular pathways, suggesting a conflict between structural defense and normal developmental signaling.
Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, yet its impact on the critical physiological processes of endangered marine arthropods remains poorly understood. This study reveals that chronic exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (1, 10, 100 μg/L) disrupts the exoskeletal sclerotization process in first-instar juveniles of the endangered Chinese horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus. Our results demonstrate that nanoplastics trigger a compensatory hardening response in the juvenile carapace, which depends on both the exposure dose and duration. This response manifested as a larger and biomechanically stronger shell, with increased maximum load and tensile strength. Despite this enhanced physical strength, we observed a significant suppression of key sclerotization-related genes (E74, Calmodulin, and Carbonic Anhydrase). This gene downregulation suggests that the normal pathways for molting and shell mineralization were being disrupted. Conversely, a significant elevation in N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity suggested a disrupted balance between exoskeleton degradation and synthesis. In conclusion, nanoplastic exposure causes a profound mismatch between gene expression and phenotypic outcomes in T. tridentatus, forcing a potentially costly compensatory response that may impair their molting success and long-term survival, thereby highlighting a severe ecological risk to this ancient species.
More Papers Like This
Polystyrene microplastics impede growth and induce behavioural toxicity in endangered juvenile horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed juvenile horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), an endangered species, to polystyrene microplastics and found significant growth retardation and behavioral abnormalities, raising concern that microplastic pollution may be contributing to population declines in this already threatened species.
Differential effects of pristine and aged polystyrene nanoplastics on the first molting process in Tachypleus tridentatus
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) harm baby horseshoe crabs by disrupting their ability to molt, or shed their shells to grow, a critical step for survival. Surprisingly, "weathered" plastic particles (the kind that break down from sunlight exposure in real oceans) caused this harm through different, less-understood mechanisms than fresh plastic particles typically used in lab studies. This matters because most plastic pollution in the environment is aged, not fresh, meaning current safety testing may be underestimating real-world risks to marine life, and potentially to the seafood humans eat.
Transcriptomic insights into an ancient and endangered species: Adverse effects of nanopolystyrene on the behavior and energy metabolism of Tachypleus tridentatus
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed juvenile horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) — an ancient, endangered species — to nanopolystyrene at environmental concentrations, finding impaired swimming, altered burrowing, and transcriptomic changes across oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and serotonin signaling pathways, with behavioral disruptions potentially linked to disturbed neurotransmitter-receptor interactions.
Response of moulting genes and gut microbiome to nano-plastics and copper in juvenile horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed juvenile horseshoe crabs to polystyrene nanoplastics and copper, both alone and in combination, and found that combined exposure significantly altered molting gene expression and disrupted gut microbial communities. The nanoplastics and copper together triggered stress responses not seen with either pollutant alone, including changes in heat shock protein and hormone receptor gene activity. The study raises concerns about how multiple pollutants in coastal waters may jointly affect the development of this ancient and ecologically important species.
Do Waterborne Nanoplastics Affect the Shore Crab Carcinus maenas? A Case Study with Poly(methyl)methacrylate Particles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed shore crabs (Carcinus maenas) to waterborne nanoplastics and assessed multiple physiological endpoints, finding that nanoplastic exposure altered immune function, oxidative stress markers, and gene expression in ways that indicate significant sublethal harm to this ecologically important species.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.