Abstract
The bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis has a broad geographic distribution, represent an important species for the ecology of coastal waters, also constituting a major aquaculture species. In the present work, molecular and tissue biomarkers were examined in mussel populations (M. galloprovincialis) located in four different areas of the coastal water of the Campania Region. During an annual life cycle, we analyzed the expression patterns of several genes commonly used to estimate cellular stress response and damage, namely p53, p63, HSP70, MT-10, and MT-20, related tissue lesions (pathogens, inflammations, digestive tubules damage), oxidative stress indicators (H2O2, SOD specific activity) and associated environmental data. The computed Principal Component Analysis showed that the areas were discernible based on the environmental data and biomarker results. About animal health status, mussels from Gulf of Pozzuoli and Naples’s harbor did show a thinnest epithelial cell of digestive tubules compared to mussels sampled from other sampling sites; moreover, high prevalence of cases of intersex in three of the examinated areas were observed. The presence of a potential zoonotic pathogen (Nocardia crassostreae) was identified, appearing as an important possible emerging disease. We also reported the OIE notifiable protozoa Marteilia refringens in three areas out of four. The likely impact of both observed pathogens on the mussel health and shellfish aquaculture needs to be urgently addressed. Results are discussed considering animal histopathological health parameters and biological effects.
Highlights
Marine animals lives in polluted coastal waters nearness anthropized areas are more exposed to a multiple toxic substances of domestic and industrial origin
Results obtained from all the analyses of the mussels (M. galloprovincialis) sampled in the 4 localities along the Campanian coast are given in Figures 1–9 and Tables 1–5
Nodules and capsules have been largely recorded in the digestive system of mussels, showing a temporal stratification, occasionally associated to protozoan parasites like Marteilia refringens, Fungi Steinhausia mytilovum and other pathogens (Figures 1–4 and Table 3)
Summary
Marine animals lives in polluted coastal waters nearness anthropized areas are more exposed to a multiple toxic substances of domestic and industrial origin. A variety of contaminant/stressrelated biomarkers have been suggested to be monitored for an integrated assessment of contaminants, as well as their effects in different seas (Lehtonen et al, 2014). These include tissue end-points, represented by histopathological alterations at a bivalve digestive gland, neoplastic and inflammatory lesions, levels of metallothionein gene expression (Knapen et al, 2007; Gagné et al, 2007), superoxide dismutase (SOD) specific activity and mitochondrial function (Abele et al, 2007; Cravo et al, 2009)
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