Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of arsenic in the muscle and liver of the speckled guitarfish Pseudobatos glaucostigmus in Santa Rosalía, Gulf of California, Mexico.

Arsenic (As) concentrations were measured in the muscle and liver of the speckled guitarfish Pseudobatos glaucostigmus and its main prey Penaeus californiensis, in Santa Rosalia, western Gulf of California, to determine bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Higher mean wet weight (w.w.) values were found in muscle tissue (9.87 μg g) compared to liver tissue (5.32 μg g); however, the highest concentrations were found in the liver (48.05 μg g). All samples showed As concentrations above the maximum permissible limit for human consumption. The highest concentrations in mature females (muscle: 6.93 μg g; liver: 14.5 μg g) concerning pregnant females (muscle: 5.01 μg g; liver: 8.46 μg g) may indicate a maternal transfer of As from mothers to their embryos. Arsenic bioaccumulates in the liver, which was evident from the positive correlation between total length and As concentration. Arsenic levels in Penaeus californiensis showed biomagnification from prey to predator for both tissues.