Interactions between natural biofilm, substratum surface wettability, and mussel plantigrade settlement

Abstract

Mytilus galloprovincialis is a major fouling organism in the inter-tidal zone. However, the interactions between M. galloprovincialis plantigrade settlement, biofilm characteristics, and surface wettability remains unknown. Here, we examined M. galloprovincialis plantigrade settlement responses to marine biofilms (BFs) on surfaces of varying wettability. No significant difference in mussel settlement was observed on young BFs (7 d) on surfaces of differing wettability; while settlement decreased on older BFs (14, 21, and 28 d) formed on low compared to high wettability surfaces. Surface wettability affected BF characteristics. The standardized harmonic mean and water contact angles values were not correlated with diatom density and chlorophyll a concentration, but were correlated with bacterial density, dry weight, and thickness. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed that bacterial community structure differed on BFs on surfaces of varying wettability. Thus, surface wettability affects biofilm characteristics, and the subsequent changes in BF characteristics may be responsible for the variation in biofilm-inducing activity of M. galloprovincialis plantigrade settlement.