Age- and sex-dependent changes in morphometric and metabolic variables in the long-lived freshwater mussel Diplodon chilensis

Abstract

Markers of oxidative stress and biochemical composition were investigated in digestive gland and gonad tissues in the freshwater mussel Diplodon chilensis, as well as morphometric variables in relation to chronological age and sex. Individual growth followed a von Bertalanffy growth model (VBGM). Superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione level and oxidative damage to proteins remain constant through the life of both tissues, whereas catalase and glutathione-Stransferase activities and lipid peroxidation decrease until 24-27 years of age, to remain fairly stable (mostly in the gonads) or increase slowly (mostly in the digestive gland) afterwards. The timing of these age-related changes is coincident with the age estimated (28 years) from the lower confidence interval for L N (the asymptotic length, 69.97 mm), at which the bivalves would reach their minimum growth rate. D. chilensis qualifies as an environmental mitigator for water and sediment clearance. Individuals near the age of minimum growth (20-30 years) would be better suited for bioremediation strategies compared with younger individuals (more sensitive) or to older ones, which are less active and show increasing lipid peroxidation with age. Utilising D. chilensis of this age class in sewage-polluted lake shores, in parallel with efforts to improve sewage treatment plants, would ensure an enhancement of the water and sediment cleansing for several decades.

Distribution of the Unionida (Bivalvia, Paleoheterodonta) from Argentina and its conservation in the Southern Neotropical Region

“…Furthermore, specific features of the naiad’s life cycle need to be considered [ 24 ], [ 25 ]. For example, some life cycles include a parasitic phase, some are very long-lived (certain European species live as long as 200 years) [ 48 ] and some individuals that reach maturity are potentially resistant to certain environmental changes, enabling them to survive for a long time [ 38 ], [ 39 ]. This particular life history is not necessarily shortened by environmental alterations such as the construction of dams and reservoirs [ 22 ].…”

“…Although taxonomical and biological studies of Unionida in Argentina increased during the 1960s and 70s [ 6 ], [ 12 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 34 ], [ 35 ], [ 36 ], [ 37 ] they were discontinued in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, leading to deficient knowledge on current populations. The species Diplodon ( Diplodon ) chilensis (Gray, 1828) is an exception, as research has been conducted into the physiology and toxicology of its populations in Patagonia [ 38 ], [ 39 ].…”

In situ experiment to evaluate biochemical responses in the freshwater mussel Diplodon chilensis under anthropogenic eutrophication conditions

“…Lipid peroxidation levels were estimated by spectrophotometric quantification at 535 nm (UV-160A, Shimadzu) of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) according to Buege and Aust (1978) (modified, Yusseppone et al, 2015). Data were expressed as nmol TBARS g −1 WM.…”

Long‐ term effects of water quality on the freshwater bivalve Diplodon chilensis (Unionida: Hyriidae) caged at different sites in a North Patagonian river (Argentina)

“…More recently, Bianchi and colaborators (Bianchi, Castro, Rocchetta, Bieczynski, & Luquet, ; Bianchi, Rocchetta, & Luquet, ; Bianchi et al, ) have shown that immune response biomarkers of this species are suitable for detecting domiciliary waste water contamination. Due to its abundance and longevity, which can exceed a century (Rocchetta, Lomovasky, et al, ; Soldati, Jacob, Schone, Bianchi, & Hajduk, ; Yusseppone, Lomovasky, Luquet, Ríos de Molina, & Rocchetta, ), D. chilensis has been proposed as a sentinel species for long‐term monitoring of the environmental health of Patagonian freshwater bodies. A recent decline in D. chilensis river populations has been reported in Chile as a consequence of habitat deterioration (Parada & Peredo, ; Parada, Peredo‐Parada, Quevedo, & Peredo, ), but there are no reports on water quality deterioration in Argentinean rivers populated by this species (Yusseppone et al, ).…”

“…More recently, Bianchi and colaborators (Bianchi, Castro, Rocchetta, Bieczynski, & Luquet, 2014;Bianchi et al, 2015) have shown that immune response biomarkers of this species are suitable for detecting domiciliary waste water contamination. Due to its abundance and longevity, which can exceed a century (Rocchetta, Lomovasky, et al, 2014;Soldati, Jacob, Schone, Bianchi, & Hajduk, 2009;Yusseppone, Lomovasky, Luquet, Ríos de Molina, & Rocchetta, 2015), D. chilensis has been proposed as a sentinel species for long-term monitoring of the environmental health of Patagonian freshwater bodies. A recent decline in D.…”