Comparative evaluation of the DNA damage response in two Peruvian marine bivalves exposed to changes in temperature

Abstract

The comparison of temperature responses of two mytilids from the high (Brachidontes purpuratus) and low (Semimytilus algosus) intertidal zone of the Peruvian coast was carried out focusing on the production of micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities in gill tissue. Two temperatures (23 and 11°C) were evaluated, in presence of three mitomycin C concentrations as a stressor (0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 £ 10 ¡6 ), simulating hypothetical El Niño and La Niña conditions. Responses to extreme temperatures between both species were signiWcantly diVerent (P = 0.008). Frequency of micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities in S. algosus did not diVer statistically among the temperature treatments, whereas in B. purpuratus there was an observed signiWcant decrease in nuclear abnormalities (P = 0.012) and micronuclei frequencies (P = 0.002) between both temperature treatments. The low frequency of micronuclei observed at high temperature and mitomycin C suggests a better eYciency to stress resistance, as occurs during El Niño events, of the species from the higher intertidal zone of B. purpuratus compared to S. algosus from the lower intertidal zone.

DNA damage as a biomarker of genotoxic contamination in Mytilus galloprovincialis from the south coast of Portugal

“…In contrast, mussels from more exposed coasts (like sites 1 and 2) are further exposed to stressful abiotic conditions like wind and waves, leading to a decrease in their CI. 71,72 The correct time for sampling bivalves is after spawning, as it influences mussels weight and CI. In the present study mussels had already spawned in both surveys, as M. galloprovincialis usually releases gametes from March to June and a second smaller spawning period in November.…”

Organismal biology joins climate research: the example of ENSO

“…However, when trying to reveal the development and resilience potential of coastal marine communities, the lack or inaccessibility of information is a general concern Riascos et al 2008). Most studies on the biology and ecology of organisms occurring in upwelling regions are of descriptive nature and underlying processes that are driven by ENSO are far from being understood (Criales-Hernández et al 2008;Sotil et al 2008), which hampers the development of (short-term) predictive or response-management of key resources (Taylor et al 2008).…”