Metabolism of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from two origins in the Ría de Arousa (north-west Spain)

Abstract

Mussel seed Mytilus galloprovincialis (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) from two origins (rocky shore and collector ropes) was cultivated on a raft in the Ría de Arousa (north-west Spain), from seeding to thinning out, for 226 d (November 1995–July 1996) and two aspects of metabolism, oxygen consumption rate (VO2) and ammonia excretion rate (VNH4-N) were studied in situ.The model derived from multiple analysis of oxygen consumption accounted for 91.9% of the variance, based on dry weight of the mussels and the environmental factors quality of food (organic content) and mainly chlorophyll-a. Seed origin also showed significant influence. The seasonal pattern of the oxygen consumption can be attributed mainly to the variation of chlorophyll-a, which showed a higher range of values in the spring months.Origin of seed did not show a homogeneous effect on oxygen consumption throughout the cultivation period. Collector rope mussels showed higher oxygen consumption values at the beginning of the cultivation period and after the first 15 d, but the rocky shore mussels showed a higher oxygen consumption between days 22 and 110. Energy-conserving patterns and lower condition index at the onset of the experiment for rocky shore mussels could explain these initial differences.Multiple analysis on the variation of ammonia excretion rate provided a model that accounted for 72.6% of the variance based on dry weight of mussels, seed origin and the environmental parameters chlorophyll-a and total particulate matter. The rocky shore mussels showed a significantly higher excretion values for most of the cultivation period, although there was no constant tendency throughout. High excretion values were recorded between January and March, whilst for the rest of the cultivation period values were low.The O:N index was higher in collector rope mussels for most of the cultivation period, which may suggest a more favourable energy metabolism and/or a more appropriate nutritional state for these specimens.

Seasonal changes in C, N and P budgets of green-lipped mussels Perna viridis and removal of nutrients from fish farming in Hong Kong

“…A similar pattern was recorded for a number of bivalves (Bayne & Newell 1983). Generally, temperature, food availability and reproductive condition are the major factors determining bivalves' oxygen consumption (Babarro et al 2000). The significant regressive model between oxygen consumption and environmental temperature indicated that temperature is the most dominant factor affecting the respiration rate of this species.…”

“…The sudden drop in respiration in August and October relative to that in June was ascribed to physiological inhibition by hypoxia, which lasted from summer to early autumn despite the high water temperature in these 2 months (Norkko et al 2005). The effect of food availability was (Babarro et al 2000) as a result of lower digestive activity and slower growth (Bayne et al 1989). In this study, such a discrepancy may be due to small fluctuations in food availability.…”

Effect of zinc and benzene on respiration and excretion of mussel larvae (Perna perna) (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mollusca; Bivalvia)

“…Anaerobic metabolism has been thoroughly studied in adult mussels (Thompson and Bayne, 1972;Bayne, 1973; Labarta et al, 1997;Sadok et al, 1999;Babarro et al, 2000). However, the present results suggest that this response has been observed since the beginning of the development of mussels in the D-shaped larvae stage.…”

Lipid Composition Modifications in the Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) from the White Sea

“…There is a lot of research on the study of the diferences in physiological (energetic, growth rate, clearance rate, ingestion rate, absorption rate, respiration rate) and biochemical indices between mussels collected in intertidal (rocky shore) and subtidal (aquaculture) environments [13][14][15][76][77][78]. It is considered that these origin-related diferences in physiological rates have to do with features of the energy distribution, namely, in intertidal mussels more energy is directed to the formation of a thicker shell, while in subtidal mussels the energy is spent on tissue growth [78].…”