Pollution-Tolerant Allele in Fingernail Clams ( Musculium transversum )

1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Sloss ◽  
M. A. Romano ◽  
R. V. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Fingernail Clams

The Effect of Exogenous Fluoride on the Calcium PUMP, Ciliary Activity, and Shell Formation of the Fingernail Clam, Musculium Transversum

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 58-59
Author(s):  
Anthony Paparo ◽  
Judy A. Murphy ◽  
Robert Dean
Keyword(s):  
Mississippi River ◽  
Calcium Pump ◽  
Bottom Fauna ◽  
Ciliary Activity ◽  
Shell Formation ◽  
Middle Reach ◽  
Shell Matrix ◽  
Fingernail Clams ◽  
Ca Carbonate

In the mid-1950's, fingernail clams virtually disappeared from a 100-mile section of the IL River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, due to unknown causes. A survey of the bottom fauna of the IL River in 1979, revealed that the clams were still absent from the middle reach of the River, where they had been abundant prior to the die-off in the 1950's. Some factor(s) in the River currently prevent the clams from recolonizing areas where they were formerly abundant. Recently, clams exposed to fluoride developed abnormal grooves in the shell matrix. Fluorides are known to be protoplasmic poisons removing essential body calcium by precipitation. Since the shell consists primarily of Ca carbonate, this investigation examines the possible role of fluoride on shell formation and the poisoning of the Ca pump which can directly inhibit lateral ciliary activity on the gill.

Silicon Substitution for Calcium in the Shell of the Fingernail Clam, Musculium Transversum Studied By X-Ray Analysis

1980 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 560-561
Author(s):  
Judith A. Murphy ◽  
Anthony Paparo ◽  
Richard Sparks
Keyword(s):  
Carbonic Anhydrase ◽  
River Water ◽  
Food Chains ◽  
Well Water ◽  
Shell Formation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Molluscan Shell ◽  
Fingernail Clams

Fingernail clams (Muscu1ium transversum) are dominant bottom-dwelling animals in some waters of the midwest U.S. These organisms are key links in food chains leading from nutrients in water and mud to fish and ducks which are utilized by man. In the mid-1950’s, fingernail clams disappeared from a 100-mile section of the Illinois R., a tributary of the Mississippi R. Some factor(s) in the river and/or sediment currently prevent clams from recolonizing areas where they were formerly abundant. Recently, clams developed shell deformities and died without reproducing. The greatest mortality and highest incidence of shell deformities appeared in test chambers containing the highest proportion of river water to well water. The molluscan shell consists of CaCO3, and the tissue concerned in its secretion is the mantle. The source of the carbonate is probably from metabolic CO2 and the maintenance of ionized Ca concentration in the mantle is controlled by carbonic anhydrase. The Ca is stored in extracellular concentric spherical granules(0.6-5.5μm) which represent a large amount of inertCa in the mantle. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the role of raw river water and well water on shell formation in the fingernail clam.

scholarly journals Fluorides in Wastewater Discharges: Toxic Challenges to the St. Lawrence River Biological Community

1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 809-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy Wallis ◽  
Ronald Gehr ◽  
Perry Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Aquatic Systems ◽  
Waste Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Biological Community ◽  
Fingernail Clams ◽  
St Lawrence River

Abstract This literature review examines the risk to fluvial organisms of fluoride released to the St. Lawrence River by the Montréal Urban Community waste-water treatment plant. The following key points are presented regarding the behaviour of fluoride in aquatic systems: fluoride is not removed by primary sewage treatment methods; fluoride from the treatment plant is rapidly diluted to background levels; aquatic plants do not accumulate significant levels of fluoride; fluoride is generally sequestered in the shell/exoskeleton/skeleton and skin of animals and released via the urinary system; fluoride ion is not very toxic in aquatic systems; there is rarely a large difference between acute and chronic (or lethal and sublethal) threshold levels of fluoride in aquatic systems; the most sensitive aquatic organisms are trout and fingernail clams; finally, the only significant evidence of synergistic action is with aluminium. It is concluded that fluoridation of the city of Montréal’s drinking water would not pose any significant additional risk to the biological community in the receiving waters of the St. Lawrence River.

Environmental and taxonomic variation in fingernail clam (Bivalvia: Pisidiidae) shell morphology

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
pp. 2781-2788 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Bailey ◽  
E. H. Anthony ◽  
G. L. Mackie
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Matrix ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
Multivariate Statistical Techniques ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Morphometric Variation ◽  
Running Water ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Generic Groups ◽  
Fingernail Clams

Variation in the shell morphology of Sphaerium and Musculium fingernail clams was examined using multivariate statistical techniques. On the basis of shell measurements alone, clams from either genera which were collected in running-water habitats could be distinguished, with over 90% accuracy, from clams inhabiting standing water. The discrimination between the two groups was mainly due to the greater size and thickness of shells from clams living in running water. The pisidiid genera Sphaerium and Musculium were also morphologically distinguishable, mainly by size. Morphometric classification of these groups also resulted in over a 90% success rate. The morphometric variation within each of the above groups was further compared using a principal components analysis of each group's morphometric correlation matrix. This analysis revealed differences in growth-related changes in form between the pairs of habitat and generic groups studied. The techniques used to compare ecologically or taxonomically distinct shells appear to be promising for use in either biological monitoring or habitat selection studies.

Respiratory Adaptations of the Fingernail Clams Sphaerium occidentale and Musculium securis to Ephemeral Habitats

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 783-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. McKee ◽  
Gerald L. Mackie
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Pond Water ◽  
Temperature Acclimation ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Temporary Pond ◽  
Obligate Aerobe ◽  
Fingernail Clams ◽  
Growth And Reproduction

Experiments performed on seasonal collections of the pisidiids Sphaerium occidentale and Musculium securis from a temporary pond suggest that respiratory adaptations are related to the specific life histories of the two species. Sphaerium occidentale lives up to 3 yr and all age classes aestivate during dry periods, while M. securis lives for about 1 yr and only newborn aestivate. Both species are iteroparous and reproduce primarily in late spring and early summer. Oxygen uptake rates at field temperature and Q10 values are low in both species during hibernation and aestivation, indicating respiratory stability and energy conservation. These rates and respiratory coefficients peak in spring during maximal growth and reproduction. Respiration in M. securis is more independent of temperature than in S. occidentale, reflecting the requirement of the former to complete growth and reproduction more quickly. Both animals show temperature acclimation patterns permitting early activity in spring and, thus, a more efficient exploitation of the short aquatic season. This pattern is more pronounced in the shorter lived M. securis. During aestivation, M. securis is a facultative anaerobe, while S. occidentale is an obligate aerobe. Neither species displays an oxygen debt following aestivation when immersed in water. Arousal from aestivation, as indicated by oxygen uptake, is delayed when clams are introduced to pond water. This apparently inhibits a premature resumption of activity and decreases the likelihood of desiccation in the natural habitat.

A neuronal mechanism for the control of latero-frontal ciliary activity in the fingernail clam, Musculium transversum

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 658-659
Author(s):  
Anthony Paparo ◽  
Judith A. Murphy ◽  
Robert Dean
Keyword(s):  
Ciliated Cell ◽  
Ciliary Activity ◽  
Suspension Feeding ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Nerve Supply ◽  
Ciliated Cells ◽  
Bivalve Molluscs ◽  
Neuronal Mechanism ◽  
Gill Filaments ◽  
Fingernail Clams

Extensive studies have dealt with the transport of particles on the gill of suspension feeding bivalves, but our knowledge of the mechanisms involved is still incomplete. There is, however, physiological evidence that each of the ciliated cell systems in bivalve molluscs may be individually controlled. Three types of ciliated cells are distinguished on the gill of fingernail clams: frontal (FC); latero-frontal (LFC); and lateral (LC).For the most part in studies involving ciliary control mechanisms, LFC are neglected. It is thus the purpose of this study to present data which begin to elucidate a neuronal mechanism for LFC control.Gill preps were isolated with an intact nerve supply in a dish which was placed in a holder fastened to an adjustable stage of a microscope. In fields of view of 50 gill filaments, ciliary motility, chemical perfusion and electrical stimulation were observed and/or performed.

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