A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON ICHTHYOTOXIC EFFECT OF MANGROVE

AND SALT MARSH VEGETATION ON COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT

FISHES

INTRODUCTION:

Mangroves and salt marshes are well known for their high primary productivity.
These marine habitats are rich in faunal diversity and act as nursery grounds for many
commercially important fish species (Nagelkerken, 2008, Beck et. al., 2001). Despite
their significant role, the ichthyotoxic effect of these two habitats on fishes has been a
major concern. Secondary metabolites released from mangroves (Krishnamoorthy et
al., 1995; Madhu and Madhu, 1997; Manilal et al., 2009) and salt marshes (Lellau and
Liebezeit, 2001) have been reported to be toxic to fishes and prawns. The toxic
compounds detected are tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids,
sesqiuterpenes, etc. Most of the studies are related to their therapeutic potential or
industrial applications with few notable ichthyotoxic studies. Particularly in a tropical
climate like India, no extensive study has been carried out about the toxicity of
mangroves to the fish fauna and the chemical interaction. Similarly no information is
available about the toxicity of salt marshes on fishes. This will be the first ever study
of this kind. The comparative account will be a pioneering work in the chemical
biology of intertidal vegetation and many questions will be addressed and so that an
effective conservation strategy can be applied for better management of these
precious and sensitive marine ecosystems.

IMPORTANCE OF PRESENT STUDY:

The mangrove and salt marsh ecosystem are the ecologically sensitive areas in tropical
and temperate climate respectively. Ozone depletion and consequent increase in UV
radiation at the earth’s surface (Caldwell et al. 1989) may also increase radiation flux in
intertidal vegetation in both temperate and tropical regions. Mangroves accumulate
phenolic compounds as an adaptive mechanism for protection against harmful effect of
UV radiation (Tevini et al. 1991). Salt marsh plants accumulate flavonoids and
phenolic compounds in epidermal cells for protection against UV radiation (Beggs
and Wellmann, 1994)

As ichthyotoxic compounds have been found to be potent insecticidal, antifungal,

antiviral and antitumour, research in this aspect may result some novel compounds to the
medical sector (Ito et al. 1999).

The present study is the first comparative analysis of ichthyotoxic effect of mangroves
and salt marsh and hence the data obtained from this will be the first baseline data for the
future issues in both environments.

MATERIALS & METHODS:

Proposed Study area: The study site selected for the present work is the
Nationalpark Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer, Wilhemshaven, Germany and Salim Ali
Bird Sanctuary (SABS), Goa, India. Those sites are the protected areas and are in
nearly pristine condition.

Research Methodology:
Field Sampling:
Different parts such as stem, leaves, root, fruit, flower, stem bark, root bark etc. of
mangroves and salt marsh plants will be collected from the study site and the live
fingerlings of any fish will be collected for culture purposes by the help of local
fishermen based upon their commercial value and availability.

Lab Analysis:
Different plant parts will be dried in the lyophiliser and then powdered. Then each
part will be dissolved in ethanol and Milli-Q water separately for the extraction of
toxic compounds in the Rotary Evaporator. Then both ethanol and aqueous extracts of
each part will be kept in vials for ichthyotoxicity test.

Experimental study:
The selected fishes will be allowed to acclimatise in the laboratory for 15 days in
three tanks (One Control+ One Ethanol+ One Aqueous) along with their duplicate.
Then ethanol and aqueous extract of each part will be tested for toxic compounds and
will be observed daily for 15 days. The abnormal behaviour and mortality of fishes
will be observed daily and the dead ones will be discarded from the tank.

Lab Analysis:
After 15 days of treatment of each extract, the biochemical composition of fish will be
determined and compared to that of Control. Column chromatography will be used to
find out the chemical composition of the toxic extract and all the compounds will be
separated and purified. Later on chemical characterization of each compound will be
determined by NMR.

QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED:

 Are some mangroves and salt marshes biotoxic to the fishes and if so which
species in particular?

 What are the ichthyotoxic compounds present in mangrove and salt marsh
vegetation?

 Is the toxin localized in the mangroves or present in all parts of mangrove

plant?

 How does the nutrient status of fishes get affected upon exposure to
mangroves or salt marsh toxins?

 Does climate play any role in the production and regulation of toxic
compounds in the intertidal vegetation?
.

FUTURE ISSUES:

 Will the ichthyofauna disappear from mangroves or salt marsh environment in

future?
  What is the fate of these compounds in the food chain and its likelihood
impact on human being?

 Do juveniles produce any antitoxins to neutralize the toxins of vegetation for

adaptation?

YEAR WISE WORK PLAN:

FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR

Literature survey (3 Literature survey (3 Data processing (4
months) months) months)

Base line data of study Base line data of study

area (Nationalpark
Niedersächsisches
Wattenmeer,
Wilhelmshaven, Germany)
(1 month)
Icthyotoxicology of salt
marsh plants (6 months)
Characterization of toxic
Chemical compounds (2
month)
area (SABS, Goa, India) (1
month) Manuscript writing (4
months)
Icthyotoxicology of
mangroves (6 months)
Characterization of toxic Thesis writing and
chemical compounds (2 submission (4 months)
month)

COLLABORATION WITH NIO, INDIA:

I will carry out my mangrove related work in NIO, Goa and salt marsh related work in
Oldenburg University, Wilhelmshaven, Germany for a better understanding of
adaptability of tropical and temperate fishes to the toxins released by both the
intertidal vegetation. So there is need of collaboration in both the oceanography
institutes to get a clear picture of chemical interaction of fishes of mangrove and
saltmarsh ecosystems. This study is going to help in understanding the fish biology in
tropical and temperate climates and will be helpful for future issues in a changing
climate scenario. Both countries will benefit from this as both mangroves and salt
marsh are ecosensitive areas and acts as nursery grounds for many commercially
important fishes. In addition to this, it will help in the development of Indian science
and German science.

References:

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