Acute toxicity of Tributyltin (TBT) to early life history stages of the hard shell clam, Mercenaria mercenaria

Generalizations from these and other studies suggest that molluscs are the most sensitive taxon to chronic, low-level exposure to TBT. Examples cited above have motivated examination of indigenous North American bivalve mollusc species. In experiments reported here, we compare the sensitivity of veligers and post-larvae of the clam, Mercenaria mercenaria to determine acute and sublethal responses of a commercially-important bivalve species during 8-day exposures. This interval spans the duration of larval development under the temperature regime used.