Abstract
The aim of this study was to test the effects of cyanobacteria toxicity on feeding behavior of the golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei. First, it was tested the hypothesis that L. fortunei preferentially graze on non-toxic phytoplankton and reject toxic cyanobacteria. Second, it was tested the hypothesis that toxic cyanobacteria negatively affect feeding and survival of L. fortunei. The present study is the first to evaluate the effects of toxic cyanobacteria on L. fortunei feeding and survival. In the short-term grazing, golden mussel filtration rates were evaluated in the presence of toxic and non-toxic strains of cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa, and non-toxic phytoplankton Nitzschia palea. Highest filtration rates were registered when mussels fed on Nitzschia. Despite that, golden mussel expelled Nitzschia cells in large quantities and preferentially ingested Microcystis cells, both toxic and non-toxic strains. In the long-term grazing, mussels were exposed to toxic and non-toxic strains of Microcystis during 5 days. Filtration rates were not significantly different for toxic and non-toxic Microcystis throughout exposure period. The results have demonstrated cyanobacteria toxicity is not the main factor influencing L. fortunei feeding behavior. Survival of L. fortunei feeding on toxic cyanobacteria shows the potential of this invasive bivalve as a vector to the transference of cyanotoxins to higher trophic levels.
Highlights
Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), known as golden mussel, is an invasive bivalve native from Southeast Asia
Mean values varied from 14.8 mL.mgDW–1.h–1 feeding on Nitzschia to 8.8 mL.mgDW–1.h–1 feeding on non-toxic Microcystis (Figure 1)
L. fortunei Filtration rates (FR) were significantly higher on non-toxic Nitzschia than other food combinations (p < 0.05, ANOVA)
Summary
Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), known as golden mussel, is an invasive bivalve native from Southeast Asia. Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) (Bivalvia, Dreissenidae), so called zebra mussel, is an invasive bivalve in Europe and North America, which behavior is similar to golden mussel Both species have common characteristics such as short life cycle, rapid growth, planktonic larval stage and the presence of byssus that explain their success in colonizing new habitats (Morton, 1973, Ricciardi, 1998). Lamellibranch bivalves, such as golden mussel and zebra mussel, are extremely efficient in filter-feeding (Sylvester et al, 2006). Their presence in aquatic ecosystems, especially when they occur in high densities, may lead to strong changes in the food chain structure by filtering particulate material (mainly phytoplankton and zooplankton) and depositing them as feces and pseudofeces on sediment (Lei et al, 1996)
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