Temporal changes of mollusc populations from a Zostera marina bed in southern Spain (Alboran Sea), with biogeographic considerations

Molluscs associated with a Zostera marina bed from Cantarriján bay (Southern Spain, Alboran Sea) at 14–16 m depth were sampled monthly from October 1996 to September 1997. A total of 44,819 individuals belonging to 80 species were identified. In spite of the high species richness, only seven species of gastropods showed a dominance value (D) higher than 1%. Jujubinus striatus was the dominant species of the assemblage with 70.8% of the total abundance. The other dominant species were Rissoa membranacea (9.8%), Nassarius pygmaeus (5.8%), Mitrella minor (4%), Smaragdia viridis (1.9%), Rissoa monodonta (1.4%), Bittium reticulatum (1.3%). The dynamic pattern of the mollusc populations showed a temporal trend with monthly values of species richness and abundance ranging between 10 and 25 species and between 178 and 4412 individuals·222 m⁻². The species richness and abundance were higher in the spring and summer months than in the autumn and winter ones. The diversity (Shannon–Wiener, H’) follows a similar trend, with increases from April to September and decreases from October to March. H’ values (ranging from 0.45 to 3.10) are more influenced by the evenness (J) than by the species richness. A multivariate analysis (Cluster, Multi-dimensional Scaling) based on both presence/absence and quantitative data has also pointed out a temporal trend, with spring–summer samples significantly different from autumn–winter samples. The temporal changes in abundance seem related with the species’ biology, such as recruitment events, as well as to the canopy features and shoot density variation in the Zostera meadow. From the biogeographical point of view, most of the molluscs (65%) found in the Cantarriján bed, have a Lusitanian–Mediterranean distribution (sensu Ekman 1953 ). The proximity to Africa is shown by the presence of four species with a mainly West African distribution. Only R. membranacea has a typical Atlantic distribution, driven by that of Z. marina in NW Europe.     

Adaptive morphologies and guild structure in a high-diversity bivalve fauna from an early Campanian rocky shore, Ivö Klack (Sweden)

The bivalve fauna from a late early Campanian rocky shore at Ivö Klack (southern Sweden), comprises just over sixty species, a very high diversity in comparison to other Late Cretaceous and modern rocky shore bivalve assemblages. This high diversity is here considered to represent a reliable census of the fauna; only in part can it be explained by the cumulative effect of generations of bivalves inhabiting this coastal environment. The high density and diversity and the wide range of shell morphologies allow interpretation of different modes of life in this variable environment with many contrasting habitats. Study of the functional morphology of bivalve shells and comparison with extant relatives has resulted in a subdivision of the fauna into seven guilds and five habitats. The bivalve fauna represents a within-habitat, time-averaged assemblage to which none of the species was introduced from adjacent environments. It includes some of the most northerly known, very small rudistid bivalves, in addition to the oldest known occurrences of Mytilus and Barbatia in association with rocky shores. Bivalves constituted the most important invertebrate group inhabiting the late early Campanian rocky shore at Ivö Klack, in terms of diversity, density and biomass.     

A baseline study of metal contamination along the Namibian coastline for Perna perna and Choromytilus meridionalis

The use of bivalves such as the brown mussel (Perna perna) and the black mussel (Choromytilus meridionalis) is common in the study of marine pollution and the effect of these pollutants on ecosystems and are important in both economic and ecological roles. Namibian marine ecosystems are threatened by pollution from mining, commercial fishing and population growth. The aims of this study were to determine baseline metal concentrations, spatial variation and variation between species. Metal levels in C. meridionalis from Guano Platform (GP) are the lowest of all the sites. The most polluted sites are Rocky Point (RP), Halifax Island (HIL) and between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund (WS). The bioaccumulation of metals between P. perna and C. meridionalis were not uniform for all metals. Overall the study indicates the condition of the coastline to be mostly normal, with Cd and Pb levels being of concern.     

Geographical distribution and accumulation features of organochlorine residues in bivalves from coastal areas of South Korea

As a part of Mussel Watch Program in Korea, the contamination levels and accumulation features of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were assessed for 82 bivalve samples collected from 66 sites along the entire coast of Korea. The dry weight based ∑PCBs and ∑OCPs ranged from 4.4 ng g⁻¹ to 422.0 ng g⁻¹ (geometric MEAN=36.9 ng g⁻¹) and from 9.95 ng g⁻¹ to 131.37 (34.88) ng g⁻¹, respectively. PCB was predominant in Korean coast, followed by DDTs, HCHs, and Chlordanes. From the observed log normal distribution of PCB and each OCP, low- and high-levels were defined as geometric mean ±1 S.D., respectively. The levels at the sites near urban and/or industrial areas often exceeded the high-levels and the spatial distributions of ∑DDTs and ∑CHLs were correlated with that of ∑PCBs, indicating terrestrial input pathways. Even distribution of ∑HCHs suggested a possibility of atmospheric input pathway of HCHs. The observed isomer ratios of DDTs, HCHs, and CHLs indicated that aging has occurred.     

Oxidative stress in the mussel Mytella guyanensis from polluted mangroves on Santa Catarina Island,Brazil

Digestive glands of the mangrove mussel Mytella guyanensis, collected at one non-polluted site (site 1) and two polluted sites (sites 2 and 3), were analysed for different antioxidant defenses, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were enhanced at the polluted sites. With the exception of superoxide dismutase, the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were also higher at the polluted sites. Greater increases were observed in glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and etoxyresorufine-O-deethylase activities at the polluted sites. Conversely, reduced glutathione content was higher at the control site. Trace metal contents in mussels collected at polluted sites were increased compared to the control site, and there were strong positive correlations between TBARS and Cu and Pb contents. M. guyanensis is routinely exposed to an oxidative stress condition at both polluted sites, and considering xenobiotic bioaccumulation in bivalve molluscs, the mangrove mussel represents an excellent bioindicator for environmental monitoring studies.     

新铺地区晚三叠世早期腕足类及其古生态环境——兼论海百合类和双壳类假浮游古生态

本文论述贵州关岭新铺地区上三叠统下部竹杆坡组中部至小凹组下段所产的腕足动物群及其古生态环境。该区目前共获得腕足类6个目,6个科,7个属,8个种（含4新种）和1个属种未定。根据这些腕足类的固着方式、生活习性、贝体形态和大小,以及组合特征,可以从下到上将它们分为Pseudokoninekina,Laballa,Linguloid等3个群落。该3个群落的生态底域分别位于BA4至BA3外侧、BA2和BA1,表明本区从竹杆坡组中部至小凹组下段的沉积环境是由较为深水逐步向较为浅水过渡,应为海退过程的沉积产物。同时,本文还论证了当时不可能存在为海百合类和双壳类提供假浮游的载体,它们应是底栖生物,并且指出那些被认为是假浮游的化石证据的分析与推断存在片面性。     

羌塘中部晚三叠世双壳类动物群落取代

羌塘中部各拉丹冬地区晚三叠世发育四个双壳动物群落,群落在时间上演替取代的主要控制因素为海水深度,早期以突变为主,晚期以渐变为特征,具浅-深-浅的变化特征;横向变化与陆源碎屑供应量和沉积环境的差异密切相关。个体生活习性和岩性、岩相组合特征研究表明,Quemocuomegalodon orientus-Neomegalodon bo-eckhi群落（Q-NCOM.）生态位相当于BA2底栖组合生态域;Halobia superbescens-Halobia disperseinsecta群落（H-HCOM.）生态位相当于BA4底栖组合生态域;Amonotis togtonheensis-Cardium（Tulongocardium）xizan-gensis群落（A-CCOM.）生态位相当于BA3底栖组合生态域;Cardium（Tulongcardium）martini-Trigonia（Kumatrigonia）hukxilensis群落（C-TCOM.）生态位相当于BA2底栖组合生态域。本文为区域上地层对比及生物生存环境提供了基础资料。     

Assessing the spatial variability,level and source of organic chemical contaminants in bivalve fishing grounds on the Galician coast (NW Spain)

Polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, organotin compounds and triazines were quantified in sediments and bivalves collected in four areas on the Galician coast. One or several species were analysed at each site depending on their availability, including mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), cockles (Cerastoderma edule), clams (Venerupis pullastra and Ruditapes decussatus) and razor shells (Ensis siliqua). The general spatial distribution of contaminants was consistent in spite of the different sources of contamination. High inter-species variability was also observed. M. galloprovincialis and V. pullastra showed the highest levels of contaminants and intra-spatial variability, which highlights them as suitable species to be used as sentinel organisms. The area of O Burgo showed some worrisome results: PCB sediment concentrations were within the range that could cause biological effects. Also the level of heptachlor observed in V. pullastra was above limits accepted on edible seafood. Finally TBT concentration in mussels correlated with concentrations causing imposex in snails.     

Spatial and temporal variations in cadmium concentrations and burdens in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) sampled from the Pacific north-west

Oysters from the north-west coast of Canada contain high levels of cadmium, a toxic metal, in amounts that exceed food safety guidelines for international markets. A first required step to determine the sources of cadmium is to identify possible spatial and temporal trends in the accumulation of cadmium by the oyster. To meet this objective, rather than sample wild and cultured oysters of unknown age and origin, an oyster “grow-out” experiment was initiated. Cultured oyster seed was suspended in the water column up to a depth of 7 m and the oyster seed allowed to mature a period of 3 years until market size. Oysters were sampled bimonthly and at time of sampling, temperature, chlorophyll-a, turbidity and salinity were measured. Oyster total shell length, dry tissue weights, cadmium concentrations (μg g⁻¹) and burdens (μg of cadmium oyster⁻¹) were determined. Oyster cadmium concentrations and burdens were then interpreted with respect to the spatial and temporal sampling design as well as to the measured physio-chemical and biotic variables. When expressed as a concentration, there was a marked seasonality with concentrations being greater in winter as compared in summer; however no spatial trend was evident. When expressed as a burden which corrects for differences in tissue mass, there was no seasonality, however cadmium oyster burdens increased from south to north. Comparison of cadmium accumulation rates oyster⁻¹ among sites indicated three locations, Webster Island, on the west side of Vancouver Island, and two within Desolation Sound, Teakerne Arm and Redonda Bay, where point sources of cadmium which are not present at all other sampling locations may be contributing to overall oyster cadmium burdens. Of the four physio-chemical factors measured only temperature and turbidity weakly correlated with tissue cadmium concentrations (r² = −0.13; p < 0.05). By expressing oyster cadmium both as concentration and burden, regional and temporal patterns were demonstrated, which may have been missed if just concentration was determined.     

Ecological impacts of tributyltin on estuarine communities in the Hastings River, NSW Australia

Oyster (Saccostrea commercialis) biomonitoring, assessment of oyster and gastropod (Bembicium auratum) abundance, and gastropod imposex were used to measure the significance of tributyltin (TBT) contamination in an intertidal mangrove forest. We studied the bioavailable levels of TBT in oysters approximately 1 km downstream and 2 km upstream from a TBT waste disposal site. We found observable declines in the abundance of oysters and gastropods correlated with the bioavailable TBT and these findings were confirmed by mapping oyster beds. Oyster cover near the disposal site ranged from 0% to 5% while downstream and upstream populations ranged in cover from 25–50% to 5–25%, respectively. Similarly, gastropod abundances at the disposal site were only 7% of the downstream population and 17% of the upstream population. Imposex was present in 90% of female B. auratum from populations near the disposal site but this effect declined more sharply than the population level effects.