Estuarine conditions more than pH modulate the physiological flexibility of mussel Perumytilus purpuratus populations

Understanding phenotypic plasticity of species at different spatial scales is vital in the current context of an increasing pace of environmental changes. Through this knowledge, it is possible to predict their potential to adapt and/or evolve in face of new environmental conditions such as climate change, and/or to understand their ecological range expansion. In Patagonian rocky salt-marshes, one of the most abundant invertebrate species is the scorched mussel Perumytilus purpuratus. In this system, this mussel can be found inhabiting both vegetated and non-vegetated patches, which differ in critical environmental conditions. We performed a field study evaluating whether mussels growing in vegetated patches differ in shell shape from those growing in adjacent non-vegetated patches. We sampled individuals from both patch types and assessed their shell shape and size using geometric morphometrics. The results showed that mussels from vegetated patches had shells that were more dorsoventrally expanded, anterodorsally restricted and globose in shape than those from non-vegetated patches, which showed the opposite traits resulting in a more elongated shell. The differences found could be driven by the different conditions of temperature, desiccation rate, wave action and population density to which mussels are exposed in each patch type. These results revealed the striking phenotypic plasticity of shell form of this native species at a fine-grained scale, which could be one of the explanations for its success in its ecological range expansion.

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Cognitive and Physiological Flexibility: Multiple Pathways to Hypnotic Responsiveness

Suggestion and Suggestibility ◽

10.1007/978-3-642-73875-3_11 ◽

1989 ◽

pp. 155-167 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

H. J. Crawford

Keyword(s):

Hypnotic Responsiveness ◽

Physiological Flexibility

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Lysosomal Membrane Stability in Hemocytes and Micronuclei in Gills of Perumytilus purpuratus Lamarck 1819 (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) Exposed to Copper

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ◽

10.1007/s00128-019-02737-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 103 (6) ◽

pp. 796-801

Author(s):

Hernán Gaete ◽

Rosa Guerra ◽

Patricio Espinoza ◽

Daniel Fernández

Keyword(s):

Membrane Stability ◽

Lysosomal Membrane ◽

Perumytilus Purpuratus ◽

Lysosomal Membrane Stability

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Reproductive patterns of mussel Perumytilus purpuratus (Bivalvia: Mytilidae), along the Chilean coast: effects caused by climate change?

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315416001223 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 98 (2) ◽

pp. 375-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pablo A. Oyarzún ◽

Jorge E. Toro ◽

José Garcés-Vargas ◽

Claudia Alvarado ◽

Ricardo Guiñez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Latitudinal Gradient ◽

Pacific Coast ◽

Gonadosomatic Index ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Development Stage ◽

Annual Cycles ◽

Negative Linear Correlation ◽

Perumytilus Purpuratus ◽

Reproductive Cycles

Reproductive cycles were studied in seven natural populations of the intertidal bivalve Perumytilus purpuratus, distributed in a latitudinal gradient of ~2400 km along the Chilean Pacific coast (20–40°S). The results, both qualitative (gametogenic stages) and quantitative (GSI and GVF), over a period of 24 months, showed that these populations presented asynchrony in the reproductive cycle. Semi-annual cycles in Iquique (20°S), Antofagasta (23°S) and Montemar (32°S), and annual cycles in Caleta Bolfin (23°S), Taltal (25°S), Tumbes (36°S) and Pucatrihue (40°S) (2010–2012) were found. The results indicate that latitude does not have an effect on the development stage, but it does on the spawning date. However, there is a relationship between the reproductive cycles and temperature fluctuations. In addition, there was a significant negative linear correlation between gonadosomatic index and sea surface temperature in the populations studied. The decrease in temperature reduces the rate of development stages and, therefore, increases the reproductive cycles from semi-annual to annual, as evidenced in bivalve samples from Taltal, along a semi-decadal period (2007–2012). From these results, we discuss the likely biological and ecosystem consequences in connection to the effects of climate change in the South Pacific.

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Mortality Variations in Natural Populations of the Blue Mussel, Mytilus edulis

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f87-192 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 44 (9) ◽

pp. 1589-1594 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

A. L. Mallet ◽

C. E. A. Carver ◽

S. S. Coffen ◽

K. R. Freeman

Keyword(s):

Mytilus Edulis ◽

Environmental Gradient ◽

Blue Mussel ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Seasonal Patterns ◽

Cumulative Mortality ◽

Variable Environments ◽

Wide Range ◽

Stressful Environments ◽

Physiological Flexibility

To investigate environmental and seasonal patterns of mortality among natural populations of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, we transplanted 11 stocks of juvenile mussels to nine sites along the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. Stock, Stock by Site, and Stock by Season together accounted for 53% of the variance in mortality whereas Site and Season together explained less than 1% of the variance. Genetic variability among stocks was inferred from differences in their cumulative mortality averaged over all environments. Several stocks, however, exhibited similar levels of mortality over all sites and were apparently insensitive to the environmental gradient. This implies physiological flexibility or the ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. We conclude that the blue mussel adapts to variable environments by maintaining both physiologically flexible and genetically variable populations. In addition, we noted that stocks originating from more stressful environments tended to exhibit lower mortalities than those originating from less stressful environments.

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