Mytilus Edulis Research Articles

Role of Filter-Feeding Bivalves in the Bioaccumulation and Transmission of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Shrimp Aquaculture Systems

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) poses a major risk to shrimp aquaculture, and filter-feeding bivalves on shrimp farms may contribute to its persistence and transmission. This study investigated the bioaccumulation and vector potential of WSSV in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas), blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), and manila clams (Venerupis philippinarum) cohabiting with WSSV-infected shrimp. Sixty individuals of each species (average shell lengths: 11.87 cm, 6.97 cm, and 5.7 cm, respectively) cohabitated with WSSV-infected shrimp (Penaeus vannamei, average body weight: 16.4 g) for 48 h. In the experiments, bivalves accumulated WSSV particles in both the gill and digestive gland tissues, with the digestive glands exhibiting higher viral load (average viral load, 3.91 × 104 copies/mg), showing that the viral concentrations in bivalve tissues are directly influenced by seawater WSSV concentrations, reaching levels sufficient to induce infection and 100% mortality in healthy shrimp using tissue homogenates. After a 168 h release period in clean water, the WSSV levels in bivalve tissues decreased below the detection thresholds, indicating reduced transmission risk. These results highlight the role of bivalves as temporary reservoirs of WSSV in aquaculture settings, with the transmission risk dependent on the viral concentration and retention period. Our findings suggest that the management of bivalve exposure in WSSV-endemic environments could improve the biosecurity of shrimp farms.

Warming effects on a nonindigenous predator are not conserved across seasons

AbstractThe global proliferation of nonindigenous species remains a critical stressor driving both biodiversity loss and socioeconomic costs. These impacts frequently depend on environmental contexts, but few studies have investigated how seasonal variations coupled with climate changes, like warming, could modulate nonindigenous species ecological impacts. The Japanese brush‐clawed shore crab Hemigrapsus takanoi is a successful nonindigenous species in northern European waters and is currently spreading in the Baltic Sea. In this study, we used generalized linear models and the comparative functional response approach to examine the predatory impact of H. takanoi toward blue mussels Mytilus sp. across four seasons under current and future temperature scenarios (i.e., ambient and + 6°C warming). We further integrated H. takanoi Q10 values and field abundances across seasons to examine population‐level feeding impacts toward blue mussels. The nonindigenous species exhibited a consistent type II functional response (i.e., inversely prey density‐dependent response) across all seasons, temperatures and sexes, with males consistently consuming more mussels than females across all seasons. Warming generally decreased handling times and increased attack rates, but these effects varied by season and sex, with the most pronounced temperature responses observed in autumn and spring. Population‐level impact calculations integrating field abundance data of H. takanoi indicated that under ambient conditions, feeding impacts toward blue mussels currently peak in the summer months, but as temperature increases, this feeding impact is anticipated to shift later in the year into autumn. These findings underline the critical need for multifaceted research approaches to better understand and predict the context‐dependent ecological impacts of nonindigenous species, particularly in the face of ongoing climate change and shifting population characteristics.

Multi-scale influences on Escherichia coli concentrations in shellfish: from catchment to estuary.

Sustainability of bivalve shellfish farming relies on clean coastal waters, however, high levels of faecal indicator organisms (FIOs, e.g. Escherichia coli) in shellfish results in temporary closure of shellfish harvesting beds to protect human health, but with economic consequences for the shellfish industry. Active Management Systems which can predict FIO contamination may help reduce shellfishery closures. This study evaluated predictors of E. coli concentrations in two shellfish species, the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), at different spatial and temporal scales, within 12 estuaries in England and Wales. We aimed to: (i) identify consistent catchment-scale or within-estuary predictors of elevated E. coli levels in shellfish, (ii) evaluate whether high river flows associated with rainfall events were a significant predictor of shellfish E. coli concentrations, and the time lag between these events and E. coli accumulation, and (iii) whether operation of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) is associated with higher E. coli concentrations in shellfish. A cross-catchment analysis gave a good predictive model for contamination management (R2 = 0.514), with positive relationships between E. coli concentrations and river flow (p=0.001), turbidity (p=0.002) and nitrate (p=0.042). No effect was observed for catchment area, the number of point source discharges, or agricultural land use type. 64% of all shellfish beds showed a significant relationship between E. coli and river flow, with typical lag-times of 1-3 days. Detailed analysis of the Conwy estuary indicated that E. coli counts were consistently higher when the CSO had been active the previous week. In conclusion, we demonstrate that real-time river flow and water quality data may be used to predict potential risk of E. coli contamination in shellfish at the catchment level, however, further refinement (coupling to fine-scale hydrodynamic models) is needed to make accurate predictions for individual shellfish beds within estuaries.

Adsorption Characteristics of Congo Red Dye onto Calcinated Mytilus edulis Shell Powders

Adsorption Characteristics of Congo Red Dye onto Calcinated Mytilus edulis Shell Powders

Recovery effects of sodium carboxymethylcellulose-xanthan gum hydrogels containing peptide‑iron complexes against iron deficient anemia in vivo

In this study, the sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and xanthan gum (XG) were used to prepare the CXM-Fe hydrogels (CMC: 20 mg/mL, XG: 10 mg/mL) with the addition of Mytilus edulis protein hydrolysate‑iron (MEPH-Fe) complexes. The incorporation of MEPH-Fe complexes formed a denser network structure and the CXM-Fe hydrogels had better pH stability as well as gastrointestinal retention ability. Compared with ferrous sulfate and MEPH-Fe complexes, the CXM-Fe hydrogels at moderate doses (Fe2+:2 mg/kg) showed impressive recovery effects on iron deficiency anemia (IDA) mice in terms of hematological indices, organ coefficients and iron content, antioxidant capacity, and remarkedly attenuated the infiltration of inflammatory cells as well as the levels of inflammatory factors in iron deficiency-induced colonic inflammation.

Long-term variations in the diet composition of Atlantic wolffish, Anarhichas lupus marisalbi (Zoarcoidei: Anarhichadidae), in Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea

Understanding the diet variability of the White Sea wolffish, Anarhichas lupus marisalbi Barsukov, 1956, is essential for explaining its population dynamics and variations in its life cycle. This study examined the food spectrum of wolffish from the coastal waters of Chupa Inlet (Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea) and analyzed interannual and seasonal changes in the species composition of its diet. During the summer period, wolffish feeds on a variety of macrobenthic organisms in its feeding grounds, particularly molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans, and ascidians. The diet was predominantly composed of bivalves and gastropods, with Buccinum undatum Linnaeus, 1758 and Serripes groenlandicus (Mohr, 1786) being the most important prey species. Statistical analysis of multi-year diet data from 2001 to 2023 revealed interannual variations in the frequency of occurrence of key food organisms in wolffish stomachs. The results showed that in the early 2000s, the role of epibenthic crustaceans Hyas araneus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Pagurus pubescens Krøyer, 1838 in the wolffish diet was significantly greater compared to other years of the study. The dietary importance of the bivalve S. groenlandicus increased gradually and statistically significantly during the observation period, while Buccinum undatum dominated the wolffish diet throughout the entire study period. Overall, three species (B. undatum, S. groenlandicus, and Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758) accounted for a significant portion of the wolffish diet during 2001–2023. In some years, other mollusc species, as well as crustaceans and the ascidian Styela rustica Linnaeus, 1767, were also included in the group of important prey items. The feeding intensity of wolffish in Chupa Inlet showed interannual variability. Throughout the observation period, certain years were identified as having the greatest frequency of fish with empty stomachs. Female wolffish showed a seasonal pattern in the frequency of occurrence of individuals with empty stomachs: the highest occurrence of such fish was observed during the spawning period of wolffish, in late July to early August. No significant seasonal changes in the frequency of occurrence of individuals with empty stomachs were found in males.

An Ecologically Consistent Model of Growth for Hard-Bodied Marine Organisms

There are several factors to account for marine growth including but not limited to temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a content, existing species in the environment and predating. This paper proposes a model of biological growth for hard species on marine structures, which can be compatible with site-specific and realistic ecology while also being able to translate the results for analyses linked to lifetime hydrodynamic or structural effects via commercial software or computing. The model preserves fundamentals of ecological aspects rather than using heuristics or random sampling to data fitting on sparsely collected information. The coefficients used in the proposed model align to the real world, with location-specific values, and can be adapted to new information. The growth model is demonstrated for Mythulis Edulis (blue mussel) colonisation to assess the lifetime hydrodynamic effects for the West Coast of Ireland and the Gulf of Guinea. The model can be extended to any hard growth approach.

Location-dependent effect of microplastic leachates on the respiration rate of two engineering mussel species.

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the world's oceans and pose serious environmental concerns, including their ingestion and the release of potentially toxic mixtures of intrinsic and extrinsic chemical compounds (i.e. leachates; MPLs). Mussels, as key intertidal bioengineers and filter-feeders are particularly susceptible to both exposure pathways. While the effects of microplastic ingestion have been widely investigated, research on the impacts of MPLs has only recently begun. This study examined the influence of MPLs derived from beached pellets collected in two separate regions, namely France and Portugal, on the respiration rates of two key ecosystem engineers, Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis. Possibly due to distinct mixtures of leached chemicals, unlike Portuguese-MPLs, exposure to French-MPLs significantly decreased the respiration rate of both mussel species. This research provides new insights into the physiological impacts of MPLs on bioengineer species, highlighting the importance of MP source and potential cascading effects at the ecosystem level. While we reported significant effects on mussel respiration after acute MPL exposure, future research should investigate long-term impacts and potential detoxification mechanisms to clarify the effects of MPs on mussel physiological performance and their potential consequences on specie fitness.

Determination of Nanoparticles and Elements in Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis) along the Norwegian Coastline.

Our work aimed to examine nanoparticle levels in 69 distinct pooled mussel samples along the Norwegian coastline, considering samples from different environmental contexts, including natural locations, potentially polluted hotspots, and mussel farms. Single-particle ICP-MS was utilized to determine particle mass and number concentrations at environmentally relevant levels in addition to the total content of 11 elements: aluminum, barium, cerium, copper, iron, manganese, lead, silicon, silver, titanium, and zirconium. Results showed nanoparticle mass concentrations of few ng/g up to tens of μg/g and number concentrations of 106 to 109 particles/g (wet weight). Certain urban and industrially impacted locations were linked to increased levels of, e.g., silver, lead, cerium, zirconium, and titanium NPs. Farmed mussels exhibited lower concentrations. However, natural variations were considerable, and impacted locations mostly did not differ from the highest levels in pristine areas. The study presents the first extensive survey of NPs of 11 different elements in marine biota and provides evidence of increased levels of NPs in areas with anthropogenic activities.

Spawning is accompanied by increased thermal performance in blue mussels

Climate change is causing extreme short-term warming with greater intensity and more frequent occurrence. Reproduction and subsequent recruitment of coastal ecosystem engineers, such as the blue mussel, may be impacted by the extreme temperatures because these vital functions are sensitive to the timing of short-term changes in abiotic factors. We exposed intertidal blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, to a thermal challenge from 10 to 29 °C using an ecologically relevant heating rate of 4 °C/h. We assessed their reproductive status by observing spawning activity and by analyzing histological sections of their gonad tissue. In addition, we monitored their heart rates and valve gaping behavior to determine their thermal performance. We identified three spawning groups: non-spawners that had mature gonads but did not release gametes, post-spawners that released mature gametes prior to the thermal challenge, and active spawners that released mature gametes during the thermal challenge. Across temperatures, active spawners had significantly higher heart rates and their heart rate peaked at the temperatures 3.9 and 3.2 °C higher compared to those of non-spawners or post-spawners, respectively. Post-spawners had significantly narrower valve gapes across temperatures compared to both other spawning groups. Hence, the metabolic response to warming strongly depends on the reproductive status, with active spawners experiencing increased thermal stress due to heightened metabolism, non-spawners showing heat-induced metabolic depression, and post-spawners adopting an energy-conserving strategy indicated by reduced gaping. Considered together, spawning during recurring short-term warming events may elevate mortality risk with potential consequences for the local biodiversity in a future climate.

Response to selection for cytogenetic status and their relationship with mortality in Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis in France

Response to selection for cytogenetic status and their relationship with mortality in Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis in France

Biological traits of a commercial mussel species Mytilus platensis from the South Atlantic Ocean: Environmental drivers affecting on its intertidal population

Population density, morphometric relationships, maximum age and shell growth rate were studied in an intertidal commercial mytilid species, the blue mussel Mytilus platensis d’Orbigny, 1842, at Villa Gesell (37° 15′S; 56° 57′W), Argentina, Southwest Atlantic Ocean. The population density and mean shell length showed variation across the year, i.e., the month with the highest density (December) was mostly characterized by smaller sized individuals, representing the newly settled recruits during the austral summer months. Shell cross sections and acetate peels of M. platensis revealed an internal shell growth pattern alternating broad opaque and narrow translucent bands, corresponding to fast and slow-growing periods, respectively. Translucent bands representing external rings were formed mostly during July, coinciding with a decrease in sea water temperature (austral winter) and gonadal maturation processes. Data confirmed the annual formation of translucent bands in this species, showing a maximum age of 8 years. The generalized von Bertalanffy growth curve showed values of SL∞ = 38.46 mm, k = 0.28 yr−1 and t0 = −0.57 yr−1 (R2 = 0.80). Compared to studies of subtidal populations, lower shell growth rate in this intertidal population were observed, which may be associated with the stressful environmental conditions in this habitat, such as desiccation, exposure to waves and fluctuating sea water temperature. The characteristics described throughout the study highlight that the variability associated with intertidal environments could limit the sustainability of commercial exploitation of M. platensis in these ecosystems compared with conspecific subtidal populations.

Differential sensitivity of hemocyte subpopulations (Mytilus edulis) to aged polyethylene terephthalate micro- and nanoplastic particles

Bivalve hemocytes, particularly granulocytes and hyalinocytes, play a crucial role in cell-mediated immunity. However, their interactions with aged plastic particles, exhibiting altered properties that more closely resemble those in natural environments, remain largely underexplored. This study assesses the differential responses of hemocyte subpopulations (Mytilus edulis) to chemically aged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic (MPs) and nanoplastic (NPs) particles across multiple cellular effect endpoints. Particle characteristics were analyzed using Single Particle Extinction and Scattering, Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Dynamic Light Scattering. In vitro experiments with aged PET MPs (1.9 µm) and NPs (0.68 µm) were conducted at three internally relevant concentrations: 10 (C1), 10³ (C2), and 10⁵ particles/mL (C3). Cellular responses were assessed by measuring lysosomal content stability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cellular mortality, and morphological parameters using flow cytometry at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into the differential sensitivities of granulocytes and hyalinocytes to aged PET, influenced by particle size and concentration. Specifically, aged PET MPs and NPs induce distinct size and concentration-dependent patterns of lysosomal destabilization, coinciding with the loss of functional integrity. Elevated ROS levels were observed only in granulocytes and hyalinocytes exposed to high concentrations of aged PET NPs, underscoring the effects on oxidative stress. Both aged PET MPs and NPs induce significant increases in cellular mortality, particularly after 24 h of exposure at high concentrations. These findings reveal the complex cellular mechanisms underlying hemocyte functional impairment following exposure to aged PET particles under environmentally and biologically relevant conditions.

Azaspiracid-59 accumulation and transformation in mussels (Mytilus edulis) after feeding with Azadinium poporum (Dinophyceae)

Azaspiracid-59 (AZA-59) was detected in plankton in coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest USA. Given that bivalves metabolize and transform accumulated phycotoxins, a strain of Azadinium poporum isolated from the coast of Washington State that is a known producer of AZA-59 was used in a controlled feeding experiment with mussels (Mytilus edulis) to assess AZA-59 accumulation rates and transformation into shellfish metabolites. Mussels started feeding immediately after the addition of A. poporum. Mussels were generally healthy during the entire experimental exposure of 18 days with prevailingly high rates of clearance (approx. 100 mL per mussel per hour) and ingestion. Mussels were extracted after different exposure times and were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry. In the course of the experiment a number of putative AZA-59 metabolites were detected including hydroxyl and carboxy analogues that corresponded with previously reported mussel metabolites of AZA-1. A significant formation of 3-OH fatty acid acyl esters relative to free AZAs was observed through the time course of the study, with numerous fatty acid ester variants of AZA-59 confirmed. These results illustrate the potential for metabolism of AZA-59 in shellfish and provide important information for local AZA monitoring and toxicity testing along the Northern Pacific US coast.

A probabilistic framework for offshore aquaculture suitability assessment using bivariate copulas

Aquaculture at sea is gaining increasing importance, not only as a (local) food source but also due to its potential of being combined with other offshore activities such as wind parks. Nevertheless, experience of offshore aquaculture is limited. This study aims to provide a framework to evaluate offshore aquaculture suitability accounting for the probabilistic dependence between relevant variables. This framework is applied to obtain suitability maps of aquaculture for the North Sea for the blue mussel Mytilus edulis and the sugar kelp Saccharina latissima. For each of these species, three ecological variables are selected and the optimal growth and critical survival limits are defined. Here, suitability is defined as the probability of meeting these conditions. Data on the selected variables is extracted from a large-scale 3D hydrodynamic and ecological model of the northwest European Shelf, of which daily extremes are sampled. The probabilistic model is developed using bivariate copula models, which are fitted to each variable pair to describe their joint distribution function at each studied location. Empirical distribution functions are used to describe the univariate distribution function of each variable and location. Using Monte-Carlo simulations, the probability of meeting the optimal and critical limits is estimated and suitability maps accounting for the probabilistic dependence between the variables are generated. In addition, suitability maps disregarding the dependence are generated and compared to those accounting for the probabilistic dependence. It was found that considering the dependence between variables significantly improves the accuracy of the results for optimal and critical growth conditions for both species. The presented method allows to identify potential areas where blue mussel and sugar kelp cultivation is the most suitable. For instance, in this study, a north-south elongated area west of the German and Danish coast appears to be most suitable for blue mussels, while estuaries and rivers are found the most suitable for the sugar kelp.

Effect of seasonal changes in temperature on capture efficiency in the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, fed seston and microplastics

AbstractSuspension‐feeding bivalve molluscs are dominant benthic fauna in many near‐shore environments, with phytoplankton often being their main prey type. Feeding, which involves hydrosol filtration and mucociliary processes to capture particles and process them for digestion, occurs at low Reynolds numbers. Changes in water temperature have been shown to affect feeding processes of bivalves as a result of altered physiological processes or temperature‐dependent changes in kinematic viscosity of water. Most studies, however, have focused on feeding rates and have manipulated temperature under laboratory conditions. In this study, experiments were conducted using ambient seawater and acclimatized blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, to examine particle capture efficiency over a 1‐year period. During this period, water temperature decreased from ~18°C to 5°C with a concomitant increase in viscosity of ~41%. The capture of a wide variety of bacteria and phytoeukaryotes (0.8–8 μm), as well as two sizes of polystyrene microspheres (1 and 6 μm), was quantified to calculate capture efficiency. Data demonstrate that temperature, and the concomitant change in water viscosity, had no significant effect on capture efficiency. Cyanobacteria were captured at significantly higher rates than other bacteria of similar size. These results suggest that the laterofrontal cirri of blue mussels act as paddles rather than sieves because capture efficiency was constant over a range of viscosities and Reynolds numbers. Additionally, the efficient capture of some bacteria and smaller phytoeukaryotes by the mussels suggests that these plankters could play a larger role in the diet of M. edulis than previously considered. The ecological impact of these findings, especially regarding differences in capture efficiency of different bacterial cells, warrants further study.

Vertebrate endocrine disruptors induce sex-reversal in blue mussels

Mollusks are the second most diverse animal phylum, yet little is known about their endocrinology or how they respond to endocrine disrupting compound (EDC) pollution. Characteristic effects of endocrine disruption are reproductive impairment, skewed sex ratios, development of opposite sex characteristics, and population decline. However, whether classical vertebrate EDCs, such as steroid hormone-like chemicals and inhibitors of steroidogenesis, exert effects on mollusks is controversial. In the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, EDC exposure is correlated with feminized sex ratios in wild and laboratory mussels, but sex reversal has not been confirmed. Here, we describe a non-destructive qPCR assay to identify the sex of M. edulis allowing identification of males and females prior to experimentation. We exposed male mussels to 17α-ethinylestradiol and female mussels to ketoconazole, EDCs that mimic vertebrate steroid hormones or inhibit their biosynthesis. Both chemicals changed the sex of individual mussels, interfered with gonadal development, and disrupted gene expression of the sex differentiation pathway. Impacts from ketoconazole treatment, including changes in steroid levels, confirmed a role for steroidogenesis and steroid-like hormones in mollusk endocrinology. The present study expands the possibilities for laboratory and field monitoring of mollusk species and provides key insights into endocrine disruption and sexual differentiation in bivalves.

Oral administration of PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK peptides attenuates obesity, oxidative stress, and inflammation in high fat diet-induced obese mice

The bioactive peptides PIISVYWK (P1) and FSVVPSPK (P2), derived from the blue mussel Mytilus edulis, exhibit significant benefits in combating obesity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This study demonstrates that these peptides inhibit the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) into adipocytes by downregulating the adipogenic transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1). Furthermore, P1 and P2 reduce lipogenesis and enhance lipolysis through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). These peptides also decrease intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation during adipogenesis and inhibit the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, thereby reducing inflammation. The involvement of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in this mechanism is confirmed by the reversal of these effects upon HO-1 inhibition. In vivo, oral administration of P1 and P2 in high-fat diet (HFD) obese mice prevents weight gain, reduces adipose tissue accumulation, lowers adipogenic and lipogenic biomarkers, improves serum cholesterol levels, enhances lipolysis, and decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These findings suggest that P1 and P2 peptides may effectively prevent obesity and related metabolic disorders by activating the HO-1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway.

Commercial stocks and fisheries for invertebrates in the upper sublitoral of the Murman Coast

This paper provides data concerning the stocks of green sea urchin, blue mussel and Icelandic scallop. The data was obtained from comprehensive diving surveys in the early 2000s. The paper analyses the catches of invertebrates that were taken in commercial and recreational dive fisheries for the period from 2017 to 2023. This paper states that, for sustainable management and exploitation of these commercially valuable invertebrates in the future, it is obviously required to conduct a comprehensive survey for their stocks in the sublittoral zone of Murman. The future results from this survey are intended to serve as a basis for standards (quotas) that should be established for the fisheries for these species in local areas.

Exploring aquaculture related traits of the grooved carpet shell (Ruditapes decussatus) in relation to other bivalve species using Dynamic Energy Budget theory

To assess the potential of the grooved carpet shell (Ruditapes decussatus) for aquaculture in Europe, we used Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory to perform extensive parametrization on the species and compared its energy allocation strategy with those of commonly farmed bivalve species: mussels (Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis), oysters (Ostrea edulis and Magallana gigas), the common cockle (Cerastoderma edule), and great scallop (Pecten maximus). The comparison was based on DEB primary parameters relevant to aquaculture production, such as maximum assimilation rate and kappa, which represents the fraction of energy allocated to maintenance and growth, and compound parameters like the von Bertalanffy growth coefficient and maximum storage density. Furthermore, we evaluated the production efficiency at the population level, which represents the ratio of assimilated energy converted into biomass. Our results revealed notable differences in energy utilization strategies among species. However, uncertainties in parameter estimation and environmental factors challenge the direct translation of these parameters to real-world aquaculture, therefore our interpretation focuses on how these parameters might influence a species’ potential for aquaculture. The grooved carpet shell exhibits a balanced energy allocation strategy with a low growth coefficient and low maintenance costs, leading to high production efficiency. Similarly, the common mussel focuses on growth with significant biomass investment over reproduction, while the Pacific oyster and Mediterranean mussel prioritize reproductive development. The flat oyster and scallop demonstrate rapid growth at the cost of the low production efficiencies. The grooved carpet shell and mussels face constraints such as limited reserves, making them comparatively more susceptible to low food quality and quantity. In contrast, high storage densities in species like the common cockle, scallop, and Pacific oyster suggest resilience to fluctuating food conditions. These findings, along with both agreements and discrepancies with existing literature, highlight the need for further experimental research to refine DEB parameters and enhance their application in aquaculture. Overall, the DEB framework proves effective for exploring aquaculture traits across species and underscores the need for additional work on temperature-related processes, life-history events, and morphological variation.