Mussels repair shell damage despite limitations imposed by ocean acidification

Bivalves frequently withstand shell boring attempts by predatory gastropods that result in shell damage that must be quickly repaired to ensure survival. While the processes that underlie larval shell development have been extensively studied within the context of ocean acidification (OA), it remains unclear whether shell repair is impaired by elevated pCO2. To better understand the stereotypical shell repair process, we monitored mussels (Mytilus edulis) with sublethal shell damage within both field and laboratory conditions to characterize the deposition rate, mineral composition, and structural integrity of repaired shell. These results were then compared with a laboratory experiment wherein mussels (Mytilus trossulus) repaired shell damage in one of seven pCO2 treatments (400–2500 µatm). Shell repair proceeded through four distinct stages; shell damage was first covered with an organic film, then mineralized over the course of weeks, acquiring the appearance of nacre after 8 weeks. OA did not impact the ability of mussels to close drill holes, nor the strength or density of the repaired shell after 10-weeks, as measured through mechanical testing and µCT analysis. However, as mussels progressed through each repair stage, significant interactions between pCO2, the length of exposure to treatment conditions, and the strength, inorganic content, and physiological condition of mussels within OA treatments were observed. These results suggest that, while OA may not prevent mussels from repairing shell damage, sustained exposure to elevated pCO2 may induce physiological stress responses that impose energetic constraints on the shell repair process.

Study of fouling communities succession under conditions of the device of controlled water flow

The number of mollusc farms off the coast of Crimea and the Caucasus has increased significantly in recent years. The cultivation of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) requires monitoring of mollusc health and parasitological control of mariculture farms. The aim of this work was to study species composition of epibionts and endobionts, associated with shells of cultivated oyster C. gigas, as well as to identify species, damaging shells. Commercial oysters with visual shell damage were collected on a mariculture farm in the Donuzlav Bay (Crimea, the Black Sea) and brought to the laboratory alive chilled. As a result of 22 oysters’ examination, 14 macrozoobenthos species and live specimens of rock-boring mollusc Petricola lithophaga (Retzius, 1788) were found. The size of rock-borers varied 9 to 16 mm; their age was about two years. Prolonged presence of P. lithophaga inside oyster valves can cause degradation of shell calcareous layer and even death of the mollusc host; this fact is of great importance for the Black Sea mariculture. Considering P. lithophaga annual development cycle, during the period of mass larval settlement (July to October), it is recommended to inspect the shells of cultivated oysters. Further detailed studies will allow to develop measures for prevention and protection of bivalve molluscs from infestation with P. lithophaga.

Research of selected physical indicators of table eggs in the small-scale breedings from the aspect of health safety

The purpose of this study was to investigate selected indicators of the table eggs in small-scale breedings, focusing mainly on the eggshell and its contamination and damage. Our object of study was eggs, shell, damage, and contamination of table eggs. Four small-scale breedings were randomly selected in Slovakia. These breeds were alternatively with an outdoor free-range. Laying hens Dominant was bred under conditions small-scale breeds No.1, No. 2 and No. 3 in the 1st laying cycle, and No. 4 in the 2nd laying cycle. Egg weight was balanced in three small-scale breedings. Egg weight was significantly higher in the fourth small-scale breeding, statistically significant (p <0.05) compared to egg weight in the studied 3 small-scale breedings. Shell weight and shell thickness in the equatorial plane of the egg were balanced in three small-scale breedings and in the fourth small-scale breedings were significantly higher, statistically significant (p <0.05). The higher egg weight per breeding is related to the higher laying hens age that was in the 2nd laying cycle compared to laying hens 3 small-scale breedings in the 1st laying cycle. Higher eggshell weight in three farms may be related to improved conditions in breeding hygiene, as confirmed by the results of investigations into contamination and damage to table eggs. These differences may also be related to nutrition.

Are Spine-Bearing Freshwater Gastropods Better Defended?

Freshwater snails usually possess thin unadorned shells lacking structural components such as spines. Exceptions can be found on the high, well-watered islands of the South Pacific. Streams on these islands support a rich freshwater molluscan fauna with several nerite taxa (Neritimorpha: Neritidae) exhibiting extremely long dorsal spines. We sought to assess the defensive capacity of these structures for several co-occurring nerite genera on the Island of Ovalau, Fiji. Our overarching hypothesis was that spines confer a defensive advantage. We tested four predictions for eight common taxa: (i) predator “rich” habitats (the creek entrance) would be dominated by spine-bearing nerites, (ii) spine-bearing species should be smaller in size, (iii) nerites with spines would exhibit lower levels of shell damage and (iv) nerites with spines should invest less in their shells (i.e., their shells should be thinner). Most of these predictions received support. Spine-bearing species dominated the entrance to the creek and were smaller in size. Levels of shell damage were low overall, with 2 of the 3 spinose taxa exhibiting no shell damage, as did many of the nonspinose taxa. Finally, shells of spinose species were 25% thicker, demonstrating increased rather than decreased investment. Taken together, these findings suggest that the elaborate spines of Clithon spp. play a defensive role.

The Secret ‘After Life’ of Foraminifera: Big Things Out of Small

Calcareous and siliceous microorganisms are common components of mudrocks, and can be important in terms of stratigraphy and environmental interpretation. In addition, such microorganisms can have a significant ‘after life’, through post-mortem alteration, and represent a potential source of additional information about the diagenetic and deformation history of the rock unit. Some examples of the latter are illustrated in this study from foraminifera within a Cretaceous black shale of Colombia. This includes foraminifera tests acting as understudied repositories of authigenic calcite cement, and of elements such as Ba, Zn, Fe and S through the formation of baryte, sphalerite and iron sulphides (pyrite, marcasite). Such repositories, within the body chambers of foraminiferal tests, can provide important windows into the diagenetic processes within mudstones. If calcite cement is not recognised or separated from biogenic calcite, the depositional calcite budget can be easily overestimated, skewing the application of mudrock classification schemes, and affecting environmental interpretation including that of productivity. The elements Ba, Zn and Fe (often in ratio with Al) are commonly utilised as geochemical proxies of environmental parameters (productivity, bottom water redox conditions, etc.). Therefore, the presence of significant amounts of baryte, sphalerite and pyrite-marcasite (within foraminifera) should be noted and their origins (source and timing) investigated based on their spatial relationships before making environmental deductions based on geochemical analysis alone. Additionally, commonly observed marginal shell damage of many of the observed foraminifera is reported. We interpret this damage, for the first time, as an indicator of lateral dissolution, brought about by horizontal foreshortening during orogenesis. This is also supported by the occurrence of microscale anastomosing horizontal to inclined baryte-filled fractures within the mudstone matrix.

DUROPHAGOUS FISH PREDATION TRACES VERSUS TUMBLING-INDUCED SHELL DAMAGE—A PALEOBIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT Durophagous (shell-crushing) fish predation is considered to have been a major force of evolutionary change in the history of marine communities. However, because fish predators are very rarely preserved in the act of predation, fossil evidence of such interactions is commonly indirect. For instance, it has been argued that shell fragments with sharp margins constitute a good proxy for durophagy. However, drawing a distinction between predation- and abiotic-induced shell damage can be challenging. Notably, experimental data on shell fragmentation by marine durophagous fishes are almost lacking. In this study, we explore whether shell breakage caused by durophagous marine fishes versus physical factors can be distinguished. Aquarium experiments involving commercially available predatory fishes (Diodon) and thin-shelled invertebrate preys (gastropods Nassarius and brachiopods Frenulina) show that the predation by some fish produces shell fragments displaying extremely low roundness and varying degree of sphericity. Importantly, these fragments typically display sharp and jagged margins, and reveal distortion of individual crystal fibers. Tumbling experiments showed that the disintegration of brachiopod shells proceeds much more rapidly than that of gastropods, which may suggest that abiotic-induced fragmentation of brachiopods may be eventually confused with predation. However, the tumbling-induced fragmentation and damage in both groups are typically characterized by the presence of spherical or discoidal and rounded shell fragments displaying smooth edges (without any microstructural distortion), and numerous abrasive scratches and wear scars on the surface. These data underscore that the shell fragments produced by a durophagous fish, if not subsequently abraded by physical factors, can be recognized in the fossil record.