Mussels Repair Shell Damage despite Limitations Imposed by Ocean Acidification

Bivalves frequently withstand shell damage that must be quickly repaired to ensure survival. While the processes that underlie larval shell development have been extensively studied within the context of ocean acidification (OA), it remains unclear whether shell repair is impacted by elevated <i&...

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Main Authors: Matthew N. George, Michael J. O’Donnell, Michael Concodello, Emily Carrington
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-03-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/10/3/359
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author Matthew N. George
Michael J. O’Donnell
Michael Concodello
Emily Carrington
author_facet Matthew N. George
Michael J. O’Donnell
Michael Concodello
Emily Carrington
author_sort Matthew N. George
collection DOAJ
description Bivalves frequently withstand shell damage that must be quickly repaired to ensure survival. While the processes that underlie larval shell development have been extensively studied within the context of ocean acidification (OA), it remains unclear whether shell repair is impacted by elevated <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub>. To better understand the stereotypical shell repair process, we monitored mussels (<i>Mytilus edulis</i>) with sublethal shell damage that breached the mantle cavity within both field and laboratory conditions to characterize the deposition rate, composition, and integrity of repaired shell. Results were then compared with a laboratory experiment wherein mussels (<i>Mytilus trossulus</i>) repaired shell damage in one of seven <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> treatments (400–2500 µatm). Shell repair proceeded through distinct stages; an organic membrane first covered the damaged area (days 1–15), followed by the deposition of calcite crystals (days 22–43) and aragonite tablets (days 51–69). OA did not impact the ability of mussels to close drill holes, nor the microstructure, composition, or integrity of end-point repaired shell after 10 weeks, as measured by µCT and SEM imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and mechanical testing. However, significant interactions between <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub>, the length of exposure to treatment conditions, the strength and inorganic content of shell, and the physiological condition of mussels within OA treatments were observed. These results suggest that while OA does not prevent adult mussels from repairing or mineralizing shell, both OA and shell damage may elicit stress responses that impose energetic constraints on mussel physiology.
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spelling doaj.art-d1f4b11ad15f41f49328f553f3c3940c2023-11-24T01:57:22ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122022-03-0110335910.3390/jmse10030359Mussels Repair Shell Damage despite Limitations Imposed by Ocean AcidificationMatthew N. George0Michael J. O’Donnell1Michael Concodello2Emily Carrington3Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USAFriday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USADepartment of Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USAFriday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USABivalves frequently withstand shell damage that must be quickly repaired to ensure survival. While the processes that underlie larval shell development have been extensively studied within the context of ocean acidification (OA), it remains unclear whether shell repair is impacted by elevated <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub>. To better understand the stereotypical shell repair process, we monitored mussels (<i>Mytilus edulis</i>) with sublethal shell damage that breached the mantle cavity within both field and laboratory conditions to characterize the deposition rate, composition, and integrity of repaired shell. Results were then compared with a laboratory experiment wherein mussels (<i>Mytilus trossulus</i>) repaired shell damage in one of seven <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> treatments (400–2500 µatm). Shell repair proceeded through distinct stages; an organic membrane first covered the damaged area (days 1–15), followed by the deposition of calcite crystals (days 22–43) and aragonite tablets (days 51–69). OA did not impact the ability of mussels to close drill holes, nor the microstructure, composition, or integrity of end-point repaired shell after 10 weeks, as measured by µCT and SEM imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and mechanical testing. However, significant interactions between <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub>, the length of exposure to treatment conditions, the strength and inorganic content of shell, and the physiological condition of mussels within OA treatments were observed. These results suggest that while OA does not prevent adult mussels from repairing or mineralizing shell, both OA and shell damage may elicit stress responses that impose energetic constraints on mussel physiology.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/10/3/359biomineralizationcalcification<i>Mytilus edulis</i><i>Mytilus trossulus</i>predator-prey interactions
spellingShingle Matthew N. George
Michael J. O’Donnell
Michael Concodello
Emily Carrington
Mussels Repair Shell Damage despite Limitations Imposed by Ocean Acidification
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
biomineralization
calcification
<i>Mytilus edulis</i>
<i>Mytilus trossulus</i>
predator-prey interactions
title Mussels Repair Shell Damage despite Limitations Imposed by Ocean Acidification
title_full Mussels Repair Shell Damage despite Limitations Imposed by Ocean Acidification
title_fullStr Mussels Repair Shell Damage despite Limitations Imposed by Ocean Acidification
title_full_unstemmed Mussels Repair Shell Damage despite Limitations Imposed by Ocean Acidification
title_short Mussels Repair Shell Damage despite Limitations Imposed by Ocean Acidification
title_sort mussels repair shell damage despite limitations imposed by ocean acidification
topic biomineralization
calcification
<i>Mytilus edulis</i>
<i>Mytilus trossulus</i>
predator-prey interactions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/10/3/359
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AT michaeljodonnell musselsrepairshelldamagedespitelimitationsimposedbyoceanacidification
AT michaelconcodello musselsrepairshelldamagedespitelimitationsimposedbyoceanacidification
AT emilycarrington musselsrepairshelldamagedespitelimitationsimposedbyoceanacidification