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Health assessment of freshwater mussels using metabolomics

Roznere, Ieva
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6285-9521
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461065547

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology.
Effective conservation of freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae), one of the most endangered groups of animals in North America, is compromised by limited knowledge of their health. We address this gap in knowledge by characterizing the metabolic profile of Amblema plicata in the wild and in response to relocation, captivity, and food limitation. Eight mussels brought into captivity from the wild were isolated for 18 days without a food source. Hemolymph samples were taken prior to, and 9 and 18 days after the start of the experiment; these samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 71 biochemicals were detected and identified in the hemolymph of freshwater mussels; of these, 49 showed significant changes during captivity and food limitation. Fasting resulted in severe metabolite depletion. Captive (but fed) mussels experienced changes similar to (albeit less severe than) fasting mussels, suggesting that mussels may experience nutritional deficiency under common captive conditions. Amblema plicata responded to food limitation stress by preferentially using energy reserves for maintenance rather than growth. Carbohydrate and energy metabolism exhibited down-regulation in captive, food-limited, and wild mussels. Lipid metabolism was up-regulated in captive/food-limited mussels and unchanged in wild mussels. Amino acid metabolism was up-regulated in wild mussels and down-regulated in captive/food-limited mussels. Nucleotide metabolism was up-regulated in the wild mussels, down-regulated in food-limited mussels, and unchanged in captive mussels. The different responses between treatment groups suggest potential for nucleotide metabolism as a biomarker of health status for freshwater mussels. Metabolomics techniques were also used to assess the physiological state of freshwater mussels relocated form the Muskingum River in Ohio to a conservation facility and to another stream in Ohio. Hemolymph samples were taken from mussels in all groups in September 2012, November 2012, May 2013, and August 2013. A total of 95 biochemicals were identified during the 2012 sampling period and 104 biochemicals during the 2013 sampling period. Glucose and lipid metabolism remained similar between all groups and sampling times. Differences between wild and relocated mussels were observed in altered amino acid, polyamine, methionine, and nucleotide metabolism. Decreased levels of these metabolites are likely responsible for the decreased growth rates and higher mortality observed in relocated mussels. The results are interpreted as indicative of a general stress response. Climate change, pollution and other anthropogenic activities increase temperatures, decrease levels of dissolved oxygen, and acidify freshwater ecosystems. These changes have negative impacts on freshwater mussels. Effects on freshwater mussels include changes in behavior, respiration, filtration and excretion, heart rate, enzyme activity, biochemical composition, reproduction, and heavy metal uptake. This review focuses on the effects of temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH stress on the behavior and physiology of freshwater mussels in the families Unionidae and Margaritiferidae.
Marymegan Daly, Ph.D. (Advisor)
G. Thomas Watters, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Barbara Wolfe, DVM, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
96 p.
Biology; Ecology; Freshwater Ecology; Wildlife Conservation; Zoology

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Citations

  • Roznere, I. (2016). Health assessment of freshwater mussels using metabolomics [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461065547

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Roznere, Ieva. Health assessment of freshwater mussels using metabolomics. 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461065547.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Roznere, Ieva. "Health assessment of freshwater mussels using metabolomics." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461065547

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1461065547
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.