Common Whelk Buccinum Undatum Research Articles

Life cycle truncation in Digenea, a case study of Neophasis spp. (Acanthocolpidae).

Truncated life cycles may emerge in digeneans if the second intermediate host is eliminated, and the first intermediate host, the mollusc, takes up its role. To understand the causes of this type of life cycle truncation, we analyzed closely related species of the genus Neophasis (Acanthocolpidae) with three-host and two-host life cycles. The life cycle of Neophasis anarrhichae involves two hosts: wolffishes of the genus Anarhichas as the definitive host and the common whelk Buccinum undatum as the intermediate host. Neophasis oculata, a closely related species with a three-host life cycle, would be a suitable candidate for the comparison, but some previous data on its life cycle seem to be erroneous. In this study, we aimed to redescribe the life cycle of N. oculata and to verify the life cycle of N. anarrhichae using molecular and morphological methods. Putative life cycle stages of these two species from intermediate hosts were linked with adult worms from definitive hosts using ribosomal molecular data: 18S, ITS1, 5.8S-ITS2, 28S. These markers did not differ within the species and were only slightly different between them. Intra- and interspecific variability was also estimated using mitochondrial COI gene. In the constructed phylogeny Neophasis spp. formed a common clade with two other genera of the Acanthocolpidae, Tormopsolus and Pleorchis. We demonstrated that the first intermediate hosts of N. oculata were gastropods Neptunea despecta and B. undatum (Buccinoidea). Shorthorn sculpins Myoxocephalus scorpius were shown to act as the second intermediate and definitive hosts of N. oculata. The previous reconstruction of the two-host life cycle of N. anarrhichae was reaffirmed. We suggest that life cycle truncation in N. anarrhichae was initiated by an acquisition of continuous morphogenesis in the hermaphroditic generation and supported by a strong prey-predator relationship between A. lupus and B. undatum.

Calibration of shell δ18O from the common whelk Buccinum undatum highlights potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

The common whelk, Buccinum undatum, is a commercially important gastropod found throughout the North Atlantic. One method of age and life history analysis for gastropod species is the use of oxygen isotope ratio (δ18O) measurements from their shells, which is a well-established technique for the reconstruction of historical seawater temperatures at the time of shell biomineralization. Palaeotemperature calibrations have been developed for different types of calcium carbonate as well as species-specific equations to produce the most accurate seawater temperature reconstructions. Here we investigate the four-layer internal structure of B. undatum shells and confirm an aragonite composition using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy (MRS). We then calibrate a species-specific palaeotemperature equation for this gastropod species. This was achieved through the isotopic analysis of shells from laboratory reared specimens of known provenance reared at specific seawater temperatures to produce the following:t(°C) = 14.96 (± 0.15) – 4.94 (± 0.22) x (δ18Oshell – δ18Owater)The calibrated equation differs significantly from previously published data derived from both aragonite and calcite. An offset of 1.04‰ (± 0.41‰) was discovered between observed δ18OShell values and those expected under equilibrium, suggesting a species-specific vital effect. The calibrated equation was used to reconstruct accurate, high resolution historical seawater temperatures from three sites across the U.K. (Shetland, the Menai Strait and Jersey). With this new accurate calibration, both modern and fossil B. undatum shells now have the potential to be employed as high-resolution archives of recent and historical seawater temperature.

Temperature-driven inter-annual variability in reproductive investment in the common whelk Buccinum undatum

Global temperatures are rapidly changing, causing shifts in both biotic and abiotic environments. In the short term, physiological plasticity is likely to play an important role in the survival of species. We studied the association between temperature and reproductive investment in the common whelk Buccinum undatum, a North Atlantic gastropod exhibiting non-pelagic development. We calculated the number of eggs per capsule volume and egg energetic status (Carbon: Nitrogen (C: N) ratio) for egg masses from a temperate population of whelks from the Solent, UK over a four-year period (2009–2013). Data were compared with egg masses from a sub-Arctic population from Iceland collected in 2011. Results were compared to local seasonal water temperatures to examine the association between temperature and reproductive investment. In the Solent, average winter temperatures increased significantly between 2009 and 2013, the winter increase being significant. Both the number of eggs per capsule volume and the C:N ratio of eggs increased significantly between the initial and final spawning years. The number of eggs per capsule volume was significantly lower in eggs collected in Iceland, but C:N ratio was significantly higher. The results indicate that shifts in reproductive investment in B. undatum are associated with environmental temperature. B. undatum appears to show a high level of physiological plasticity in reproduction which may, in the short term, facilitate species survival as annual temperature shifts become more variable.

Size composition of aggregations and recommended commercial size for common whelk Buccinum undatum (Neogastropoda) in the Barents Sea at the coast of West Murman

Size composition of common whelk Buccinum undatum in its aggregations on sandy and stony grounds at the depth of 2–15 m is analyzed on the data of experimental fishing by scuba divers and traps in the Kislaya Guba and Ura Guba Bays in different seasons of 2004–2017. The size group with shell height > 60 mm was the most abundant (70 %) and formed 90 % of the total biomass. This group is recommended for fishery; the shell height of 60 mm is sug­gested as the minimal commercial size for common whelk in this area.

Bayesian hierarchical surplus production model of the common whelk Buccinum undatum in Icelandic waters

Whelk fisheries globally suffer a from a lack of data and dearth of stock assessments, even though they are growing and can contribute important income locally in some regions. Hierarchical Bayesian methods are especially suitable for estimating biological parameters and reference points for data-poor stocks, as they can borrow strength from stocks with more information. Here we analyze the common whelk (Buccinum undatum) fishery in Iceland, which was initiated in late 1996 and is restricted to Breiðafjörður in Western Iceland. Whelk may be vulnerable to overexploitation due to low dispersal, differences in growth and maturation on small spatial scales, and limited regulation. A population dynamics model for whelk was used to test whether inclusion of spatial variation improved model fit, and demonstrates where more data are needed to improve stock assessment. We used CPUE data as an index of biomass and catches to fit a Bayesian hierarchical Schaefer surplus production model that included six sub-regions, and compared this model with all models that included successively less hierarchical structure. We also consolidated environmental and whelk demographic data from Iceland, including growth, maturity, and mortality rates, to form prior probability distributions for population growth and carrying capacity parameters. To determine whether spatial catch distribution would aid sustainability, we compared results when catches were evenly distributed over sub-regions to those based on status-quo catch distributions. The best model chosen included spatial variation in population dynamics, but more contrast in the data or additional abundance data are needed to be useful for stock assessment. As whelk is traditionally a data-poor fishery, our results yield hyperparameter distributions that can be used as prior information for assessments of whelk elsewhere, as well as sensitivity analyses that show how influential prior distributions can be on model selection and results.

Size of maturity of the common whelk, Buccinum undatum: Is the minimum landing size in England too low?

The common whelk Buccinum undatum is widely distributed around the coast of the United Kingdom, and supports valuable fisheries in many areas around the English coast. A minimum landing size (MLS) of 45mm currently applies in England and is generally viewed as a useful management measure to help support a sustainable whelk fishery. However, there is limited knowledge about regional variation in the size of sexual maturity (SOM) in English whelk populations. Whelks were collected at 12 different sites around the English coast and SOM estimates were compared to the current MLS. The national SOM was above MLS, and the proportion of mature whelks at the MLS was extremely low or zero at most sites. Significant differences were found in SOM between sites and between sexes within some sites. The current MLS may therefore provide little or no protection to the English spawning stock, and whelk populations may thus be vulnerable to recruitment overfishing. Site-specific values of SOM suggest that discrete populations may occur at each sampled location, despite some being geographically close to one another. We recommend that regional rather than national management measures are necessary to protect English whelk fisheries, and further research is needed to determine the appropriate MLS for each region.

Thermal tolerance during early ontogeny in the common whelk Buccinum undatum (Linnaeus 1785): Bioenergetics, nurse egg partitioning and developmental success

Temperature is arguably the primary factor affecting development in ectotherms and, as a result, may be the driving force behind setting species' geographic limits. The shallow-water gastropod Buccinum undatum is distributed widely throughout the North Atlantic, with an overall annual thermal range of below zero to above 22°C. In UK waters this species is a winter spawner. Egg masses are laid and develop when sea temperatures are at their coolest (4 to 10°C) indicating future climate warming may have the potential to cause range shifts in this species. In order to examine the potential impacts of ocean warming, we investigate the effects of temperature on the early ontogeny of B. undatum across a thermal range of 0 to 22°C. Each egg mass consists of approximately 100 capsules, in which embryos undergo direct development. Successful development was observed at temperatures ranging from 6 to 18°C. Rates of development increased with temperature, but the proportion of each egg mass developing successfully decreased at the same time. With increasing temperature, the mean early veliger weight increased, but the number of early veligers developing per capsule decreased, suggesting a negative impact on the number of crawl-away juveniles produced per capsule. Elemental analysis showed both carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to increase with temperature in early veligers but not in hatching juveniles, indicating greater energy reserves are accumulated during early ontogeny to compensate for the higher energetic demands of development at higher temperature. The developmental plasticity observed in B. undatum suggests this species to be capable of adapting to temperatures above those it currently experiences in nature. B. undatum may possess a thermal resilience to ocean warming at its current upper temperature distribution limit. This thermal resilience, however, may come at the cost of a reduced offspring number.

Spring diet of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) in Breiðafjörður, West Iceland, indicates non-bivalve preferences

Breiðafjorður is an important molting, breeding, and wintering area for about 25 % of the Icelandic common eider (Somateria mollissima) population. However, feeding habits of eiders in this area have not been investigated until now. Prey selection was analyzed from 192 stomach samples (esophagus and proventriculus) collected in spring 2007–2010. Thirty-five prey species were identified; the highest percentage occurrences were of gastropods (79 %), chitons (polyplacophorans) (58 %), crustaceans (43 %), bivalves (26 %), and echinoderms (8 %). The most common food species was the mottled red chiton Tonicella marmorea (58 %), followed by the common whelk Buccinum undatum (40 %), the spider crab Hyas arenarius (39 %), and the chink shell Lacuna vincta (35 %). The majority of the food items was of small size and consumed in high quantity. The chitons and mussels were of similar average sizes (11.7 and 13.4 mm, respectively), which might suggest that prey size could be as important as species in food selection. There were some inter-annual differences in dominant prey classes between years. For example T. marmorea was found in 60–70 % of birds in the years 2007 and 2009 but only in 30 % of the birds in the other years investigated. Diets of males and females were equally diverse and similar when all months and years were pooled. Prey selection was highly variable but most individuals focused on few or a single species in the hours prior to collection. Results indicate that the most common prey species for common eiders is a chiton and not blue mussels as reported elsewhere.

Nurse egg consumption and intracapsular development in the common whelk Buccinum undatum (Linnaeus 1758)

Intracapsular development is common in marine gastropods. In many species, embryos develop alongside nurse eggs, which provide nutrition during ontogeny. The common whelk Buccinum undatum is a commercially important North Atlantic shallow-water gastropod. Development is intracapsular in this species, with individuals hatching as crawling juveniles. While its reproductive cycle has been well documented, further work is necessary to provide a complete description of encapsulated development. Here, using B. undatum egg masses from the south coast of England intracapsular development at 6 °C is described. Number of eggs, veligers and juveniles per capsule are compared, and nurse egg partitioning, timing of nurse egg consumption and intracapsular size differences through development are discussed. Total development took between 133 and 140 days, over which 7 ontogenetic stages were identified. The number of both eggs and veligers were significantly related to capsule volume, with approximately 1 % of eggs developing per capsule. Each early veliger consumed nurse eggs rapidly over just 3–7 days. Within each capsule, initial development was asynchronous, but it became synchronous during the veliger stage. No evidence for cannibalism was found during development, but large size differences between embryos developing within each capsule were observed, and occasionally ‘empty’ veligers were seen, which had not successfully consumed any nurse eggs. These results indicate a high level of competition for nurse eggs within each capsule during development in the common whelk. The initial differences observed in nurse egg uptake may affect individual predisposition in later life.

Growth and reproduction of the common whelkBuccinum undatumin west Cotentin (Channel), France

The common whelk Buccinum undatum (Neogastropoda, Buccinidae) is widespread along the north Atlan- tic coasts of France. In west Cotentin (Normandy), an important local fishery exists that depends exclusively on this marine resource and represents about 90% of French whelk production. Despite successive restrictive measures, fishing yields have decreased since 2000. Shell length frequency distributions of Buccinum undatum caught in west Cotentin were studied in 2005 (N = 2910), in 2007 (N = 2032) and in 2009 (N = 4145) ranging from 7 to 85 mm. In order to pre- serve this fishery and to characterise the whelk stock at this site, the reproductive biology of this species was studied in relation to age, sex and size, for whelks of commercial size (45 to 61 mm) over the complete annual cycle in 2008. Age was determined by reading the number of operculum striae: animals between 45 and 59 mm had 2 to 4 striae. Four reproductive stages were defined for males and females on the basis of histological analysis. The time course of repro- ductive events was described according to size and sex: the highest percentages of ripe stages were found in October for both sexes. Spawning events occurred between October and December. The shell length that corresponded to 50% of animals having mature gonads (49 mm and 52 mm for males and females, respectively, corresponding to 3 and 4 years old animals) exceeded the minimal landing size (45 mm). Fifty percent maturity was reached for males in their third year and for females in their fourth year. Reproductive investment was evaluated by quantitative analysis of the gonadal thickness or surface and was found to be proportional to shell size. We found that less than 20% of females under 49 mm in length were sexually mature and that these produced only a few eggs. This information, collected in a major fishing area, should assist fishery management decisions.

Significance of electron interactions of fatty acids of phospholipid molecules in the organism adaptation to habitat temperature

Data in the fatty acid composition of muscle tissue phospholipids of some representatives of gastropod molluscs (Gastropoda) have been presented for the first time. In the lake phytophagues Lymnaea stagnalis and Lymnaea ovata the long-chained C22-acid was not detected, whereas in the predator common whelk Buccinum undatum, C22:6omega3 was present. Comparison of absorption spectra (240-720 nm) of lipid extracts of the studied invertebrates and of rat has been performed. The obtained data are discussed from the point of view of participation of pi-electrons of phospholipid fatty acid molecules in adaptation of membranes to the habitation temperature, which arises owing to interelectron attraction and to the process of formation of Cooper's pairs.

Imposex in two sublittoral neogastropods from the Kattegat and Skagerrak: the common whelk Buccinum undatum and the red whelk Neptunea antiqua

Imposex development in female whelks (Prosobranchia: Neogastropoda) has been sug- gested as a bioindicator of tributyltin (TBT) pollution in the marine environment. The occurrence of imposex in the common whelk Buccinum undatum and the red whelk Neptunea antiqua in sublittoral areas of Danish waters was related to organotin levels. In contrast, imposex was absent in reference material of N. antiqua collected in the area before 1938. The concentrations of TBT in whole body tissue of B. undatum ranged from <0.2 to 3.1 ng Sn g -1 and total butyltin (∑ BT = TBT + DBT + MBT) ranged from 1.2 to 32.9 ng Sn g -1 wet weight. The intensity (i.e. frequency and severity) of imposex was generally higher in N. antiqua than in B. undatum. At 14 stations in the Kattegat and Skagerrak, imposex was present in 9 to 89% of B. undatum and 67 to 100% of N. antiqua. N. antiqua seems to be more sensitive to TBT and would thus be the better bioindicator.

Shell damage and mortality in the common whelk Buccinum undatum caused by beam trawl fishery

Common whelks Buccinum undatum collected from the southern North Sea were investigated to study the amount of shell damage and mortality caused by beam trawl fishery. The ability of whelks to repair their damaged shells was studied in the laboratory. Whelks ( n=876) were caught with a fine-meshed 3-m beam trawl or with commercial 4- and 12-m beam trawls, while in some areas whelks were also caught with baited traps (used as a reference). Shell damage varied considerably for the different groups. In whelks collected by beam trawling, minor shell damage was observed in 17–75%, and severe damage (when protection against predators and scavengers is lost) in 10–83%. Whelks caught with baited traps sustained only minor shell damage (0–27% of the individuals). Their damage was statistically significantly less than in beam-trawled specimens. Most whelks in all groups exhibited signs of former shell damage, which had since been repaired. Whelk survival was studied in the laboratory over a six-week period. Only 40% of the whelks caught with the 12-m beam trawl survived, irrespective of the damage suffered. Whelks that survived and recovered had repaired their shell after six weeks. More than 95% of the whelks caught with baited traps survived the six-week experimental period; this is statistically significantly higher than the survival of animals caught with the 12-m beam trawl. At five locations females were screened for the presence and stage of imposex. Mild imposex development (mostly stages 1 and 2) was observed at all locations with incidences of 32–80%. It is concluded that beam trawl fishery may be a much greater source of mortality in common whelks than previously thought.

Appraisal of the potential for a future fishery on whelks ( Buccinum undatum) in Swedish waters: CPUE and biological aspects

A recent interest in the common whelk Buccinum undatum as a complementary species in the Swedish inshore fishery initiated a controlled trial fishery in 1995. This paper presents estimates of catch per unit effort (CPUE), stock size, maturation, growth, and also reports on the prevalence of imposex and parasites in the Skagerrak and Kattegatt. The spatial distribution of CPUE indicates useful stock sizes, especially in the Kattegatt, where a harvestable stock size in the range of 45 000–225 000 tons was estimated. Both age and size at sexual maturity varied along the coastline. The maturity size was between 52 and 72 mm or 6–9 years of age. Imposex was found in 23–31% of female whelks at two different localities in the Skagerrak and Kattegatt. Parasite load differed significantly between the two sampling localities. Implications of the results for the management of the whelk stocks are discussed. It is concluded that the stocks on the Swedish west coast may be of commercial value, but would be vulnerable to overfishing.

The value of imposex in the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus and the common whelk Buccinum undatum as indicators of TBT contamination

Summary Measures of imposex in the Dogwhelk N. lapillus and the Common Whelk B. undatum were used, together with analyses of butyltins in tissue and sediment samples, to assess current levels of TBT contamination in four sealochs, which are subject to different kinds and intensities of boat use and fish farming. Imposex in N. lapillus is a specific response to TBT and some related organotins and, as would be expected therefore, indices of imposex correlated with concentrations of butyltins in tissues. Data from this species, and sediments, indicate that TBT contamination in three of the sealochs (Loch Sween, Loch Crinan and Killary Harbour) is now low. It has decreased significantly in Loch Sween and Loch Crinan during the past decade. There were higher levels of pollution in Sullom Voe, where oil tankers are a source of TBT. This was reflected in measures of imposex and concentrations of butyltins in tissue samples but not of those in sediments, which were surprisingly low. Imposex was recorded in most samples of B. undatum examined in this study but it is not a useful indicator of butyltin contamination. The condition was severe in some places where pollution was low and, conversely, absent or poorly developed in others, where it was high. There was no correlation between the severity of imposex and tissue concentrations of butyltins in this species.

Anthropogenic impacts on the stocks of the common whelk Buccinum undatum (L.)

Imposex was absent in most samples of whelks Buccinum undatum (L.) taken from the Irish Sea but was recorded in samples from the North Sea, English Channel, Clyde Sea, Svalbard and one out of two samples from the west coast of Ireland. It is evidently a relatively recent phenomenon because it was not recorded in a preserved sample taken from the North Sea in 1970. The most likely cause is tributyltin (TBT) contamination from antifoulants on boat hulls because symptoms were more severe in areas of high shipping activity than elsewhere. There appears to have been little, if any, impact on breeding performances because imposex was mostly mild. Furthermore, stocks of whelks were sufficiently large in the North Sea and other British coastal waters to support buoyant fisheries. There has been overfishing in some areas in the past, notably the Wadden Sea and (probably) off the southern part of the east coast of England, and there are fears that recent expansion of the whelk fishery, due to market opportunities in the Far East, is leading to more general over-exploitation.

Accumulation of organotin compounds in the common whelk Buccinum undatum and the red whelk Neptunea antiqua in association with imposex

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 152:197-203 (1997) - doi:10.3354/meps152197 Accumulation of organotin compounds in the common whelk Buccinum undatum and the red whelk Neptunea antiqua in association with imposex Ide I, Witten EP, Fischer J, Kalbfus W, Zellner A, Stroben E, Watermann B Several species of the subclass Prosobranchia are considered to be suitable organisms for monitoring long-term effects of triorganotin (TOT) compounds. This study utilized Buccinum undatum and Neptunea antiqua from the North Sea and the Irish Sea. Morphological alterations in the genital system (imposex phenomena), the histological structure of the gut, and the gonads were studied. TOT concentrations in soft body tissue and shells were determined. Females of both species displayed imposex phenomena (pseudohermaphroditism). The percentage of altered females per station ranged from 0 to 90% in B. undatum and from 0 to 29% in N. antiqua. Imposex index values in B. undatum reached 1.09 near Helgoland and 0.86 in N. antiqua sampled at 25 nautical miles from the Scottish northeast coast. Organotin compounds were detected in the soft bodies of snails from all stations. A chi-square analysis revealed a significant correlation between imposex stages and TOT concentrations in B. undatum but not in N. antiqua. Tributyltin (TBT) in B. undatum ranged from 1.0 to 15.9 ng g-1 wet weight (Irish east coast). TBT concentrations in N. antiqua were higher and ranged from 2.2 to 25.7 ng g-1. In both species, organotin compounds in the shells were below detection limits. Despite high TBT concentrations in soft tissues and the occurrence of imposex (offshore and inshore), female gonads were in good shape and no signs of limited reproductive capacity were found. Histological findings indicate that TBT does not contribute considerably to mortality in the common whelk. Molluscs · Organotin compounds · Accumulation · Imposex · Antifouling · Deep sea Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 152. Publication date: June 26, 1997 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 1997 Inter-Research.

A flexible response to a major predator provides the whelk Buccinum undatum L. with nutritional gains

We examined the association of the common whelk Buccinum undatum with the predatory asteroid Leptasterias polaris in the Mingan Islands, northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Quantitative sampling, using SCUBA diving, of surfaces of the sea floor in the vicinity (within 150 cm) of feeding and non feeding L. polaris and surfaces devoid of asteroids showed that both immature and mature whelks generally avoid L. polaris. Surprisingly, densities of mature whelks up to 12 times the average were occasionally encountered near asteroids when they were consuming a large prey, usually the surf clam Spisula polynyma. Comparisons of the stomach-content mass of whelks approaching L. polaris feeding on S. polynyma with that of whelks which were departing from the same type of feeding bout demonstrated that whelks obtained significant food gains by approaching L. polaris. Previous studies failed to identify the food resources that could account for the high biomass of whelks in the Mingan Islands. The association with L. polaris potentially explains a substantial part of the whelk's diet. Whelks of the Mingan Islands have evolved a flexible behavioural response to L. polaris which permits them to make adaptive and risk-sensitive decisions when choosing between avoiding a major predator and taking advantage of food resources it makes available.

Energetics of mucus production in the common whelk Buccinum undatum L.

Pedal and hypobranchial mucus production of the common whelk Buccinum undatum L. were measured at three different temperatures (8.2, 10.5 and 15 °C). Pedal mucus production at 8.2 °C was significantly lower from that at 10.5 °C, but similar to that at 15 °C. In contrast hypobranchial mucus production at 8.2 °C was significantly higher than that at 10.5 °C but again similar to that at 15 °C. At all temperatures whelks produced more hypobranchial than pedal mucus. Food consumption was measured, and from this it was determined that ≈27.5% of the total energy intake appeared as mucus production (pedal + hypobranchial). Other studies on gastropod mucus energetics are reviewed, and possible sources of error in the determination of mucus energetics are discussed.