Quantitative assessment of intertidal blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) stocks: combined methods of remote sensing, field investigation and sampling

The aim of this investigation was to develop appropriate methods for quantitative assessment of blue mussel beds. Combined methods of remote sensing, ground truth investigation and sampling in the field were applied to mature and young intertidal mussel beds. Three variables were measured to obtain reliable quantitative estimates of biomass and abundance: the total area covered by a bed; the cover, i.e. the area of mussel-covered patches in relation to the total mussel bed area; and the proportion, i.e. the area covered by mussels within the patches in relation to the total area of mussel patches. Cover and proportion of intertidal blue mussel beds were measured in the field by the transection method. Aerial photographs enabled the total area of the beds to be determined and large-scale surveys of mussel beds to be carried out synchronously. By examining large-scale aerial photographs it was possible also to determine the cover by remote sensing. The proportion could not be derived from aerial photographs, even from pictures at the largest scale tested during this investigation (scale 1:2500). By statistical methods it was estimated that 12 sub-samples (each covering 177 cm²) from mature beds, and 12 sub-samples (each covering 38 cm²) from young beds are needed to obtain reliable data on biomass and abundance.     

Distribution of synthetic organotins and total tin levels in Mytilus galloprovincialis along the Portuguese coast

Despite the huge amount of literature available on butyltins (BuTs), few studies addressed the environmental levels of phenyltins (PhTs), octyltins (OcTs) and total tin (Sn_T) in environmental samples. In 2006 a mussel watch survey was developed for the Portuguese coast (total of 29 sampling sites) in order to describe the concentrations of BuTs , PhTs, OcTs and Sn_T in the whole tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819). BuTs were detected in all analyzed samples accounting, in average, for 98.6% of total organotins (∑OTs = BuTs + PhTs + OcTs), and presented highest values in the vicinity of harbors. Tributyltin (TBT) was the dominant butyltin, representing, in average, 62% of ∑BuTs (∑BuTs = TBT + DBT + MBT) suggesting that fresh inputs of TBT are still occurring in the Portuguese coast, particularly near harbors. The contribution of organotin compounds derived from antifouling paints to the total tin levels in M. galloprovincialis is discussed.     

Ras gene in marine mussels: a molecular level response to petrochemical exposure

Mussels are susceptible to numerous toxicants and are often employed as bioindicators. This study investigated the status of the ras proto-oncogene in Mytilus galloprovincialis following petrochemical exposure. A M. galloprovincialis homologue of the vertebrate ras gene was isolated, showing conserved sequence in regions of functional importance and a high incidence of polymorphic variation. Mutational damage was investigated in mussels chronically exposed to the water-accommodated fraction of #4 fuel-oil (WAF), and in mussels collected along the NW coast of Portugal in sites with different levels of petrochemical contamination. A ras gene point mutation was identified in the codon 35 of one individual exposed to 12.5% WAF. No mutations were detected in mussels from the WAF control or environmental samples. This represents the first report of a ras gene mutation, experimentally-induced by petrochemical exposure, in an invertebrate species.     

Metal exposure and biological responses in resident and transplanted blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the Scheldt estuary

The Western Scheldt river and estuary is known to be highly polluted as it receives industrial, agricultural and domestic effluents from one of the most populated and industrialised zones in Europe. Aquatic organisms are exposed to pollutants, specifically metals that are present in different environmental phases, e.g. dissolved, suspended material or sediment phases. The objective of this study was to study the relationship that exists between environmental metal levels, the degree of metal uptake by aquatic organisms with the concomitant biological responses. For this purpose the bivalve mollusk, Mytilus edulis, was selected as bioaccumulation indicator organism. Environmental (water and sediment) and mussel samples were collected during the late winter (March 2000) from sampling sites in the Scheldt estuary. Sites were selected to represent a salinity gradient from the mouth of the estuary to the furthest distribution area of mussels upstream in the system. Together with standard water quality parameters (e.g. salinity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic carbon, etc.) concentrations of twelve metals were analysed in the water (dissolved and suspended matter) and sediments. Levels of these metals were also measured in the soft tissue of M. edulis, together with concomitant biomarker responses in resident mussel populations at each site. The biomarkers that were included in this study were condition index, scope for growth, survival in air, cell membrane stability, DNA damage, and metallothioneins. Data were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. The physico-chemical parameters and metals in the environmental samples clustered the sites to reflect the distribution based on the salinity gradient. Bioaccumulation results revealed increased metal uptake along a pollution gradient with the highest metal bioaccumulation occurring at the upstream most sites and therefore closest to the in the industrial activities. However, the biomarker responses clustered the sites in a manner that reflected the influence of combination of internal exposure (bioaccumulation) and external exposure (physico-chemical conditions). These differences in biomarker responses clearly demonstrated were attributed to abiotic factors other than metal pollution alone e.g. localized short-term increases in increased suspended sediment concentrations and decreased dissolved oxygen concentrations.     

Biochemical response of the mussel Mytilus coruscus (Mytiloida: Mytilidae) exposed to in vivo sub-lethal copper concentrations

Many aquatic organisms are negatively affected by exposure to high copper concentrations.We investigated the biochemical response of the mussel Mytilus coruscus(Mytiloida:Mytilidae) to copper exposure.In vivo bioassays using M.coruscus and different copper concentrations were conducted.The activity of six biomarkers,namely superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),acid phosphatase(ACP),alkaline phosphatase(AKP),glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT) were measured.Survival rates decreased with increased copper concentrations and exposure times.The LC50 values at 48,72,and 96 h exposure were 0.48,0.37,and 0.32 mg/L,respectively.Within digestive glands,CAT activity increased with increasing Cu concentrations.The activity of AKP showed no significant change,while the remaining four enzymes showed decreasing activity with increasing Cu concentrations.Within the gills,AKP activity increased when the Cu concentration was 0.05 mg/L,but showed no significant changes at higher concentrations.Activity of CAT and ACP within gills tended to decrease with increasing Cu concentration.The activity of SOD and GPT decreased at an exposure concentration of 0.2 mg/L.GOT activity within gills decreased at 0.1 mg/L and increased at an exposure concentration of 0.2 mg/L.Within the adductor muscle,AKP activity increased at 0.05 mg/L but did not change at higher exposure concentrations.ACP activity within adductor muscle tissue showed no change,while activities of CAT,GOT and GPT decreased with increasing Cu concentrations.SOD activity within the adductor muscle tissue significantly decreased at the 0.02,0.05 and 0.2 mg/L exposure concentrations.Our results show tissue specific differences for the six biomarkers in for M.coruscus.Our findings provide the basis for the establishment of reference activity levels against which biomarker changes can be estimated,and are essential preliminary steps in development of in vivo bioassays.     

Variations in retention efficiency of bivalves to different concentrations and organic content of suspended particles

Retention efficiencies (RE) of scallop (Chlamys farreri),oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and mussel (Mytilus edulis) in a flow-through system were measured to understand the short-term response to various particle and organic matter concentrations.By comparing the RE of C.farreri with that of C.gigas and M.edulis,we gained further knowledge on the feeding physiological characteristics of C.farreri and ascertained the possible cause of high summer mortalities of this species.The experimental feeding conditions in...     

A survey to determine levels of chlorinated pesticides and PCBs in mussels and seawater from the Mid-Black Sea Coast of Turkey

A mussel and seawater monitoring survey was conducted at six sampling points between Yalikoy (Ordu) and Sinop in 1999-2000 along the Mid-Black Sea Coast of Turkey in order to assess concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Chlorinated pesticides and PCBs were measured in the mussel Mytilus Galloprovincialis and in seawater. In the mussel samples, the most common pollutants in terms of average concentration per g of wet weight (ww), were DDT (max. 1800 pg/gww, min. 240 pg/gww) and its metabolites DDD (max. 5400 pg/gww, min. 240 pg/gww) and DDE (max. 2800 pg/gww, min. 70 pg/gww). Also, dieldrin, heptachlor and HCB were notable contaminants in the mussel samples. PCBs were determined in none of the biota or seawater samples. The concentrations of the OCs and PCBs in mussels were higher in coastal areas receiving river discharges and close to the largest city of the region, Samsun (especially in sampling points in the harbour area). The well-known long persistence of DDTs and other chlorinated compounds was confirmed by residues of these pollutants measured in mussels. On the other hand, even though the usage of such kind of persistent compounds in Turkey was banned, there may still be illegal usage and it is not certain whether the application of these compounds did end in the region.     

嵊泗列岛海域三种贻贝贝体框架特征的差异

以壳长SL、壳宽SW、壳高SH(BD)、OA(壳顶至韧带末端的直线距离)、OB(壳顶至壳背面最高点的直线距离)、OC(壳顶至壳后端最远点的直线距离)、OD(壳顶至壳高性状在腹缘的落点的直线距离)、AB(韧带末端至壳背缘最高点的直线距离)、BC(壳背缘最高点至壳后端最远点的直线距离)、CD(壳后端最远点至壳高性状在腹缘的落点的直线距离)为贝体框架变量,采用多元分析方法系统比较了嵊泗列岛海域厚壳贻贝、紫贻贝和"杂交贻贝"贝体框架特征的差异,结果表明:(1)在所涉9项贝体框架特征指标中,紫贻贝与厚壳贻贝间无显著差异的指标仅为L5(OC/SL)和L7(AB/SL)(P0.05),而"杂交贻贝"各项指标则均与厚壳贻贝和紫贻贝具显著差异(P0.05),厚壳贻贝和紫贻贝变异系数大于10%的指标均仅为L7(AB/SL),而"杂交贻贝"则仅为L3(OA/SL);(2)厚壳贻贝与紫贻贝间的欧氏距离最短(P0.05),仅为0.160;厚壳贻贝与"杂交贻贝"间和紫贻贝与"杂交贻贝"间的欧氏距离相近(P0.05),分别为0.452和0.418;(3)经主成分分析,提取到的3个特征值均大于1的主成分,累计贡献率达82.928%,其中第一主成分、第二主成分、第三主成分可依次归为与滤食功能区水平剖面占比相关的贝体框架因子,与消化功能区水平剖面占比相关的贝体框架因子,和与消化功能区垂直剖面占比相关的贝体框架因子,通过第一主成分仅能较清晰地区分厚壳贻贝和"杂交贻贝";(4)采用逐步判别法,以判别贡献率较大的L1(SW/SL)、L3(OA/SL)、L4(OB/SL)、L5(OC/SL)、L6(OD/SL)和L7(AB/SL)为自变量,所建Fisher分类函数方程组可较清晰区分厚壳贻贝、紫贻贝和"杂交贻贝",三者的判别准确率依次为94.6%、94.6%和100%,综合判别准确率为96.4%。     

Relationships between daily growth of different groups of swordtip squid (Uroteuthis edulis) and environmental variables in the East China Sea

Swordtip squid (Uroteuthis edulis) is one of the important economical fishing target species in the East China Sea. Uroteuthis edulis is characterized by rapid growth, extensive migration, and long spawning period and sensitive to surrounding environment. In order to assess its stock status, it is necessary to explore its spawning season, growth patterns of different populations and their relationship with the environment in advance. In this paper, based on the samples of U. edulis collected in the East China Sea from September 2017 to March 2018, we explored the relationships between daily growth of statolith microstructure and environmental variables by gradient forest method and generalized additive model. The spawning season of U. edulis was found to be nearly one year, and two dominant season groups were found: the spring group with the peak period of April and the summer group with the peak period of August. Water temperature in the depth of 25 m (Temp_25), sea surface temperature (SST) and zonal velocity were the key environmental variables for the daily growth of April-spawning group. The most suitable environmental conditions for the growth of April-spawning group were water temperature (24?27°C) and velocity (0.1?0.3 m/s). SST, Temp_25 and mixed layer depth were the key environment variables for the daily growth of August-spawning group. The most suitable environmental conditions for the growth of August-spawning group were water temperature (21?28°C) and water depth (0?50 m). Key environmental variables of different groups suggested that early growth was significantly affected by seasonal changes of water temperature, current velocity and prey abundance. This study explored the relationships between early growth and environmental variables and provided the scientific guidance for the management and conservation of U. edulis.     

厚壳贻贝(Mytilus coruscus)金属硫蛋白MT-10:cDNA克隆、结构分析及铜离子胁迫下的表达

近年来我国沿海海域重金属污染日趋严重,软体动物尤其是双壳贝类响应重金属污染胁迫的研究发展成为目前的研究热点。金属硫蛋白是一类广泛存在于生物体内富含半胱氨酸(Cys)的小分子蛋白,具有结合金属离子的能力,能有效调节生物体细胞内的金属离子平衡,具有清除自由基,重金属解毒的功能,关于厚壳贻贝MT蛋白的研究尚未见报道。本文首次利用RT-PCR和c DNA末端快速扩增技术克隆了厚壳贻贝MT-10蛋白c DNA全长(Mc-MT-10),其包含101bp的5′UTR区,108bp的3′UTR区以及222bp的ORF区,编码73个氨基酸。经比对发现Mc-MT-10富含Cys,且具有9个软体动物中常见的CXC结构以及CKCXXXCXCX结构,系统进化树中同科或属中MT-10聚合成一个分支,显示出高度保守性。采用Q-PCR技术分析了MT-10 mRNA在Cu~(2+)胁迫下厚壳贻贝外套膜及消化腺中表达变化,结果表明Mc-MT-10 mRNA在Cu~(2+)胁迫下两种组织中的表达量急剧升高,说明Cu~(2+)能够诱导Mc-MT-10 mRNA的表达,并且表现出诱导具有阈值性特点。研究结果可为深入研究厚壳贻贝MT蛋白的功能奠定基础,为厚壳贻贝抗重金属污染新品种选育提供数据支持。