Aggregational behavior of the blue mussels Mytilus edulis and Mytilus trossulus: a potential pre‐zygotic reproductive isolation mechanism

The blue mussels Mytilus edulis and Mytilus trossulus occur sympatrically and are able to hybridize in populations on the eastern coast of Newfoundland, Canada, presenting an opportunity to study their aggregational behavior. Aggregation behavior may therefore provide insight into post‐settlement interactions and pre‐zygotic reproductive isolation between the species. Three treatments were designed using M. edulis and M. trossulus to investigate their intraspecific and interspecific spatial distribution patterns. With Ripley’s K‐function and Monte Carlo simulation analysis, we found that in the single‐species treatment, M. edulis aggregated significantly but not M. trossulus. Based on results of two‐way ANOVAs, both the number of aggregations and the moving distance were significantly affected by the treatments (single‐species or mixed‐species treatment) and times (24, 48, 72 and 96 h). In further pairwise comparisons using Tukey’s test, M. edulis aggregated differently with or without M. trossulus occupying the same tank, suggesting that the aggregational behavior of M. edulis could be driven by species‐specific chemical cues. The result that M. edulis aggregates intraspecifically may increase the probability of intraspecific fertilization of the spawned gametes and thus function as a pre‐zygotic reproductive isolation mechanism maintaining the blue mussel hybrid zone.     

The activation of aromatic amines in some marine invertebrates

Recently we found that the postmitochondrial fraction of marine mussel (Mytilus edulis) digestive gland metabolizes aromatic amines readily but not polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.¹ Here we present some properties of similar biotransforming capacity of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and preliminary evidence for the presence of similar exclusive metabolism of aromatic amines in all marine invertebrates tested so far.     

EFFECTS OF 137Cs, 131I AND 32P ON THE EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF MUSSEL AND SEA-URCHIN

Preliminary investigations were recently made in laboratory on the effects of low-levelradioactivity contaminated by radioisotopes using embryonic of mussel (Mytilus edulis) andsea-urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) as the material. The gametes and various stagesof fertilized eggs of mussel and sea-urchin were maintained in seawater contaminated with~(137)Cs (~(131)I or ~(32)P) over the concentration range 10~(-10)Ci/L to 10~(-2) Ci/L. The effects     

Adult-larval interactions: Predictions,mussels and cocoons

The purpose of this investigation was to test two hypotheses regarding adultlarval interactions in dense assemblages of suspension feeders. Benthic communities outside and inside a dense population of the mussel Mytilus edulis were sampled at a New England soft-bottom intertidal flat. The hypothesis that recruitment of M. edulis is inhibited by the presence of densely packed adults was not supported. Mytilus edulis population size-class structure revealed no dominance of large individuals, indicating that older cohorts were not able to prevent subsequent mussel recruitment. The hypothesis that M. edulis has a negative effect on the recruitment of other infaunal species was not supported. Infaunal density was significantly higher inside the mussel bed than outside. Oligochaete worms were the most common organisms at the study site and had higher absolute and relative abundances inside the mussel bed. The production of cocoons and dispersal of non-larval benthic offspring may confer upon the oligochaetes relative immunity from M. edulis ingestion and suffocation in mussel feces and pseudofeces. These results may be extended to other infaunal species, including densely packed suspension feeders themselves, which form cocoons, fragment asexually, brood, or disperse as juveniles and adults.     

紫贻贝对 65Zn累积和排泄机制的研究

不少学者对Zn和~(65)Zn任海洋生物中的累积、排泄和组织分布方面进行了大量的研究,但对共累积和排泄的机制并不清楚。近年来,国外在达方面有了些报道,如Gcorge等,运用电子显微镜和x-射线扫描分析方     

Some effects of copper on the veliger larvae of the mussel Mytilus edulis and the Scallop Pecten maximus (Mollusca, Bivalvia)

During 1983 and 1985 several batches of laboratory reared veliger larvae of Mytilus edulis and Pecten maximum here subjected to a rank of concentrations of added copper (CuCl₂) over a 15-day period. M. edulis larvae were less sensitive, measured both as mortality (15-day LC₅₀) of 400 μglitre⁻¹) and reduced growth, than P. maximus larvae (15-day LC₅₀ of 85μg litre⁻¹). Both species appeared less sensitive to Cu than other bivallve larvae previously studied. Veliger larvae of M. edulis are from 7 to 10 times more tolerant of Cu than juveniles or adults and this unexpected finding is discussed in relation to the recent literatures on Cu toxicity and accumulation in mussels.     

Reconstruction of food conditions for Northeast Atlantic bivalve species based on Dynamic Energy Budgets

Required assimilated energy to support observed growth was reconstructed for four common bivalve species (Mya arenaria, Cerastoderma edule, Mytilus edulis and Macoma balthica) from various Northeast Atlantic coastal areas, along the species distributional range. The approach applied was based on the Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory whereby observed growth patterns in the field, in combination with prevailing temperatures, were used to reconstruct the average food intake experienced in the field scaled to the maximum possible. For all species, results suggest food limitation over the range of locations. In general, reconstructed food intake indicated better conditions for C. edule compared to the other species, while M. edulis presented the lowest food conditions in all the areas. Despite the indications for a latitudinal trend in primary production, no clear pattern or relationship between reconstructed food conditions and latitude was observed suggesting that any trend may be overruled by local conditions.     

塔胞藻在中国海的发现与应用

我们于1981年秋采到、1982年春分离出一种单细胞藻——塔胞藻(Pyramimonas sp.),属绿藻纲(Chlorophyceae),多毛藻科(Polyblepharidaceae)。细胞略呈卵形或筒形,长12—16微米,宽8—12微米;前端具一圆锥形凹陷,由凹陷中央向前伸出四条鞭毛;不具细胞璧,易为幼虫消化吸收。我们曾先后试用它为     

Variation in levels of cytochrome P4501A, 2B, 2E, 3A and 4A-immunopositive proteins in digestive gland of indigenous and transplanted mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in Venice Lagoon, Italy

Mytilus galloprovincialis digestive gland microsomes were prepared from (i) indigenous populations sampled from a clean reference (Lido) and an urban-contaminated site (Salute) and (ii) mussels transplanted for up to 3 weeks from Lido to an industrial-contaminated site (CVE) in Venice Lagoon, Italy. Western blot analysis was performed using antibodies to five mammalian or fish CYP forms (1A, 2B, 2E, 3A, 4A). Simultaneously run M. edulis digestive gland partially purified CYP aided identification of immunopositive bands. Levels of CYP1A, CYP2E, and CYP4A-immunopositive proteins were 50 to 300% higher in indigenous M. galloprovincialis from Salute compared to Lido (p < 0.05). Three weeks after transplantation to CVE, levels of only the CYP1A-immunopositive protein were determined to be higher (63%) than levels for Lido (p < 0.05), indicating that anti-CYP1A shows greater specificity for a contaminant-inducible CYP form than the other antibodies.     

Multi-xenobiotic resistance in Mytilus edulis

Primers based on known multidrug resistance (MDR) protein sequences hybridized with Mytilus edulis cDNA and led to the amplification of two major bands (approximatly 350 and 2500 bases long) corresponding to fragments of expected size as compared to human MDR genes.MDR protein levels in mussel tissues can be quantified with an ELISA test using the monoclonal antibody C219.     

Concentrations of unsubstituted polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in bay mussels (Mytilus edulis) from Oregon, USA

Concentrations of fifteen unsubstituted polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAH) were measured in Mytilus edulis from two sites in Yaquina Bay, Oregon, USA, during 1979–1980. There were significant differences in PNAH levels between the two populations. The average total concentration in mussels inhabiting the more industrialized bayfront was 986·2 μg/kg compared with 273·9 μg/kg in mussels from a more remote site across the bay. Substantial differences were found in the concentrations of different PNAH in M. edulis examined during this study. The smaller more water soluble, compounds were concentrated to one or two orders of magnitude above the larger, less soluble PNAH.     

Cellular responses to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenobarbital in Mytilus edulis

Certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenobarbital induced an increase in the activity of microsomal NADPH neotetrazolium reductase (linked to mixed function oxygenase systems) in the blood cells of Mytilus edulis. Phenanthrene and methylated naphthalenes caused lysosomal destabilisation which is believed to be directly related to the mechanism of cytotoxicity in the digestive cells. The use of these cytochemical techniques as indices of aromatic hydrocarbon contamination is discussed.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) burden of mussels (Mytilus sp.) in different marine environments in relation with sediment PAH contamination, and bioavailability

Sediments and mussels (Mytilus edulis, Mytilus galloprovincialis) were sampled in different European coastal environments (Germany, France, Spain) and analysed for their polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Bioaccumulation factors of individual compounds from the sediment were calculated and discussed according to the compound solubility. The mussels showed different accumulation patterns according to the pollution source they were exposed to (dissolved fraction of PAHs, particulate fraction, petroleum present in the water column). The exposure source also depends on the geographical location of the mussels. In the Mediterranean Sea, the bivalves were mainly exposed to the dissolved fraction of PAHs, while in the Baltic Sea and in the Atlantic Ocean, the PAHs associated to the particles were significant sources.     

Uptake of petroleum hydrocarbons by the Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) after Experimental Oiling and High Pressure, Hot Water Shore cleaning

High pressure, hot water shore cleaning after an oil spill will release high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons to ambient marine ecosystems. The immediate increase of hydrocarbons observed in blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, went from background concentrations of 40 μg/g to 657 μg/g and 533 μg/g at a distance of 3 and 8m respectively from the shore. After two weeks the accumulated oil had decreased by 20–45 %. In comparison natural surf and ice cleaning of shores will only produce a small increase in hydrocarbon concentrations. We recommend that high pressure, hot water cleaning is not used in areas where no special bird or wild life protection is needed.     

Hydrocarbons in bivalve mollusks of Port Valdez, Alaska: Consequences of five years' permitted discharge

Petroleum hydrocarbons were investigated in Mytilus edulis and Macoma balthica at six intertidal sites in Port Valdez, Alaska after three to five years of oil terminal operation. Information about the concentrations of total hydrocarbons, unresolved complex mixture, normal alkanes, isoprenoids, olefins, hopanes and polycyclic aromatic hyrocarbons shows that petroleum accumulation in these bivalve mollusks is greatest at the Valdez municipal boat harbor and a crude oil terminal which has been permitted to discharge 170 kg oil day⁻¹. Accumulation two- to ten-fold less were observed at 3 km from the terminal and boat harbor. The temporal trends in petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in M. edulis and M. balthica reflect the effects of selective retention and depuration of different hydrocarbon classes as well as variation in hydrocarbon sources. It is not clear whether the petroleum concentrations in Port Valdez bivalves had reached steady state by 1982, the final sampling time reported here.     

短蛸(Octopus ocellatus)酪氨酸蛋白激酶基因的克隆及其mRNA在细菌刺激后的表达规律

从前期构建的短蛸(Octopus ocellatus)c DNA文库中克隆获得了一个短蛸酪氨酸蛋白激酶(Oo Btk)基因的c DNA全长,其c DNA全长1191 bp,包括5’非编码区(UTR)259 bp,3’UTR 227 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)705 bp,编码234个氨基酸,预测理论等电点为8.50,分子量为27.7 k Da。运用实时荧光定量PCR法分析了在健康短蛸的不同组织以及鳗弧菌和藤黄微球菌刺激后血细胞中Oo Btk的表达规律,结果表明:Oo Btk在肌肉、外套膜、鳃、鳃心、系统心脏、肝胰脏、肾囊、胃、性腺和血细胞等各检测组织中均有表达,其中在肝胰脏的表达量最高;短蛸经鳗弧菌和藤黄微球菌刺激后,Oo Btk在血细胞中的表达量呈现出了明显的被诱导表达趋势,在鳗弧菌和藤黄微球菌刺激后6 h表达即增强,并分别在鳗弧菌刺激后48 h和藤黄微球菌刺激后12 h达到最高。Oo Btk参与短蛸对于鳗弧菌和藤黄微球菌刺激的应答过程。     

Partitioning of metals among metal-binding proteins in the bay mussel, Mytilus edulis

Metabolism of metals was assessed in populations of Mytilus edulis exposed to metals in the laboratory and in the field. Chronic exposure to metals in both environments resulted in increased concentrations of metals in both the low molecular weight metal-binding protein fraction, which contains metallothioneins, and in the high molecular weight metal-binding protein fraction, which contains metalloenzymes. Our results from analysis of laboratory-exposed populations and from monitoring indigenous and transplanted populations indicate that the capacity for production of metallothioneins is limited and that the quantities present differ greatly with seasonal changes in the environment.     

Detection of mRNA sequences homologous to the human glutathione peroxidase and rat cytochrome P-450IVA1 genes in Mytilus edulis

In this study we have used cloned gene probes for human glutathione peroxidase (GPX), rat cytochrome P-450IVA1 and rat cytochrome P-450IIE1 to detect homologous sequences in RNA from the hepato-pancreas of Mytilus edulis. The presence of sequences hybridising to the GPX and P-450IVA1 probes, but not to the P-450IIE1 probe, confirms the ancient origin of the former genes and indicates that conserved-sequence DNA probes from higher organisms can be used to examine the structure and function of genes of environmental interest in marine organisms.     

The role of the stress proteins response in physiological adaptation of marine molluscs

Organisms have evolved a highly conserved cellular response called the heat-shock or stress proteins response (SPR) that increases their tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. We have tested the hypothesis that the tissues of two molluscs, Mytilus edulis and Collisella pelta, respond to stressful situations by eliciting this response. We found that both heat-shock and Cd can induce the SPR in both species and are presently carrying out experiments to correlate the induction of stress proteins with an increased capacity to tolerate subsequent stressful conditions. These experiments should help us determine if the SPR plays an important role in the physiological adaptation of these species to their environment.     

Survival,growth and shell deformities of copper- and cadmium-exposed mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) in brackish water

Mussels, Mytilus edulis L., were exposed to elevated concentrations of copper or cadmium in the laboratory, then placed in cages in the sea (salinity 7‰). One year later maximum lengths of the mussels were measured and shells screened for deformities. Growth was 0·6 cm year^?1 in the control cages and retarded in cages of exposed mussels. A total of 63% of cadmium-exposed and 46% of copper-exposed mussels had shell deformities. In the control cages 26% were deformed while in a natural population only 3% were deformed. The proportion of deformities to growth was inversely related. Low concentrations showed their injuriousness in this long-term test, probably due to the closing of the valves during exposure to high concentrations.