Effects of relocation on metabolic profiles of freshwater mussels: Metabolomics as a tool for improving conservation techniques

Abstract

Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered animals in North America. Although there are numerous state and federal programmes aimed at conserving them, knowledge of the effects of captivity and relocation remains limited. Metabolomic techniques were used to assess the physiological state of freshwater mussels (Amblema plicata) relocated from the Muskingum River in Ohio to a conservation facility and to another stream in Ohio. Haemolymph samples were taken from mussels in the Muskingum River (MUS group), the facility (CAP group), and Big Darby Creek (DAR group) in September 2012 (month 3 post‐relocation), November 2012 (month 5), May 2013 (month 11), and August 2013 (month 14). Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. In total, 95 biochemicals were identified during the 2012 sampling period and 104 biochemicals during the 2013 sampling period. Glucose and lipid metabolism remained similar among all groups. Differences between the MUS group and the CAP and DAR groups were observed in altered amino acid and nucleotide metabolism. The results are indicative of a general stress response, which is evident for a year post‐relocation. Decreased levels of these metabolites are likely to be responsible for decreased growth rates and higher mortality often observed in relocated mussels.

Metabolite Changes of Perna canaliculus Following a Laboratory Marine Heatwave Exposure: Insights from Metabolomic Analyses

“…Purine metabolites might have been utilised to protect organs and tissues against heat stress [ 64 ] in P. canaliculus . Purine changes may also lead to impaired tissue maintenance, as reported in freshwater mussels subjected to translocation stress [ 65 ]. Furthermore, the balance between energy demand and supply comes into question, as purine metabolism plays an essential role in energy supply [ 62 ], hinting at an energy deficit in the thermally stressed P. canaliculus following a five-day exposure to 24 °C.…”

Metabolite Changes of Perna canaliculus Following a Laboratory Marine Heatwave Exposure: Insights from Metabolomic Analyses

“…Purine metabolites might have been utilised to protect organs and tissues against heat stress [ 64 ] in P. canaliculus . Purine changes may also lead to impaired tissue maintenance, as reported in freshwater mussels subjected to translocation stress [ 65 ]. Furthermore, the balance between energy demand and supply comes into question, as purine metabolism plays an essential role in energy supply [ 62 ], hinting at an energy deficit in the thermally stressed P. canaliculus following a five-day exposure to 24 °C.…”

Metabolite profiling of abalone (Haliotis iris) energy metabolism: a Chatham Islands case study

“…Apart from upregulated protein synthesis, the carbon and nitrogen derived from these affected amino acids can also support nucleotide production. Elevated methionine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) concentrations could also be linked to down-regulated gene methylation (Roznere et al, 2017 ), which could contribute to the faster growth rate in the Wharekauri abalone. Lower concentrations of serine, threonine, SAM and methionine were detected in juvenile haemolymph collected at both sites (Fig.…”

“…The current research provides insight into Chatham Islands abalone sites, where the translocation of abalone from other populations to Wharekauri can be achieved, as long as abalone metabolic energy is invested into anabolic activities and not maintenance or recovering from stress, resulting in limited energy for growth (Venter et al, 2018c ). Freshwater mussel research proved that characterisation of metabolite levels can provide a framework for management decisions and the development of tools to improve conservation techniques (Roznere et al, 2017 ). Yet, various environmental variables will also need to be considered, as demonstrated in caged mussels, where the effect of seasonal patterns on condition and tissue biochemistry have been highlighted as other considerations for translocation (Gray & Kreeger, 2014 ), something which is unknown for H. iris at this stage.…”

Development and Application of a Low-Volume Flow System for Solution-State in Vivo NMR

“…20 Moreover, an increase in glucose correlated with a decrease in glycogenic amino acids, tyrosine and glycine, during the first five time points may indicate the use of amino acids during the process of gluconeogenesis. 72,73 Finally, catabolism of glycogen reserves is attributed to the increased energy demand. 62,68,74 The physiological state and energy budget of living organisms is also reflected by protein content.…”

Metabolite Changes of Perna canaliculus Following a Laboratory Marine Heatwave Exposure: Insights from Metabolomic Analyses

“…Purine metabolites might have been utilised to protect organs and tissues against heat stress [ 64 ] in P. canaliculus . Purine changes may also lead to impaired tissue maintenance, as reported in freshwater mussels subjected to translocation stress [ 65 ]. Furthermore, the balance between energy demand and supply comes into question, as purine metabolism plays an essential role in energy supply [ 62 ], hinting at an energy deficit in the thermally stressed P. canaliculus following a five-day exposure to 24 °C.…”

Metabolite profiling of abalone (Haliotis iris) energy metabolism: a Chatham Islands case study

“…Apart from upregulated protein synthesis, the carbon and nitrogen derived from these affected amino acids can also support nucleotide production. Elevated methionine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) concentrations could also be linked to down-regulated gene methylation (Roznere et al, 2017 ), which could contribute to the faster growth rate in the Wharekauri abalone. Lower concentrations of serine, threonine, SAM and methionine were detected in juvenile haemolymph collected at both sites (Fig.…”

“…The current research provides insight into Chatham Islands abalone sites, where the translocation of abalone from other populations to Wharekauri can be achieved, as long as abalone metabolic energy is invested into anabolic activities and not maintenance or recovering from stress, resulting in limited energy for growth (Venter et al, 2018c ). Freshwater mussel research proved that characterisation of metabolite levels can provide a framework for management decisions and the development of tools to improve conservation techniques (Roznere et al, 2017 ). Yet, various environmental variables will also need to be considered, as demonstrated in caged mussels, where the effect of seasonal patterns on condition and tissue biochemistry have been highlighted as other considerations for translocation (Gray & Kreeger, 2014 ), something which is unknown for H. iris at this stage.…”

Development and Application of a Low-Volume Flow System for Solution-State in Vivo NMR

“…20 Moreover, an increase in glucose correlated with a decrease in glycogenic amino acids, tyrosine and glycine, during the first five time points may indicate the use of amino acids during the process of gluconeogenesis. 72,73 Finally, catabolism of glycogen reserves is attributed to the increased energy demand. 62,68,74 The physiological state and energy budget of living organisms is also reflected by protein content.…”

Metabolite Changes of Perna canaliculus Following a Laboratory Marine Heatwave Exposure: Insights from Metabolomic Analyses

“…Purine metabolites might have been utilised to protect organs and tissues against heat stress [ 64 ] in P. canaliculus . Purine changes may also lead to impaired tissue maintenance, as reported in freshwater mussels subjected to translocation stress [ 65 ]. Furthermore, the balance between energy demand and supply comes into question, as purine metabolism plays an essential role in energy supply [ 62 ], hinting at an energy deficit in the thermally stressed P. canaliculus following a five-day exposure to 24 °C.…”

Metabolite profiling of abalone (Haliotis iris) energy metabolism: a Chatham Islands case study

“…Apart from upregulated protein synthesis, the carbon and nitrogen derived from these affected amino acids can also support nucleotide production. Elevated methionine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) concentrations could also be linked to down-regulated gene methylation (Roznere et al, 2017 ), which could contribute to the faster growth rate in the Wharekauri abalone. Lower concentrations of serine, threonine, SAM and methionine were detected in juvenile haemolymph collected at both sites (Fig.…”

“…The current research provides insight into Chatham Islands abalone sites, where the translocation of abalone from other populations to Wharekauri can be achieved, as long as abalone metabolic energy is invested into anabolic activities and not maintenance or recovering from stress, resulting in limited energy for growth (Venter et al, 2018c ). Freshwater mussel research proved that characterisation of metabolite levels can provide a framework for management decisions and the development of tools to improve conservation techniques (Roznere et al, 2017 ). Yet, various environmental variables will also need to be considered, as demonstrated in caged mussels, where the effect of seasonal patterns on condition and tissue biochemistry have been highlighted as other considerations for translocation (Gray & Kreeger, 2014 ), something which is unknown for H. iris at this stage.…”

Development and Application of a Low-Volume Flow System for Solution-State in Vivo NMR

“…20 Moreover, an increase in glucose correlated with a decrease in glycogenic amino acids, tyrosine and glycine, during the first five time points may indicate the use of amino acids during the process of gluconeogenesis. 72,73 Finally, catabolism of glycogen reserves is attributed to the increased energy demand. 62,68,74 The physiological state and energy budget of living organisms is also reflected by protein content.…”