Low dissolved oxygen levels reduce anti-predation behaviours of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea

1. When dissolved oxygen levels decline in aquatic systems, prey may be unable to maintain behaviours protecting them from predators. We examined how oxygen availability affected anti‐predator responses in the freshwater clam, Corbicula fluminea. 2. When attacked, bivalves protect their soft tissues by closing their protective valves. This reduces vulnerability to small predators, but ventilation and oxygen uptake are suspended. We found that after a simulated attack, clams under low oxygen conditions reopened their valves sooner than clams under high oxygen conditions, suggesting that hypoxia increases vulnerability to predation. 3. Bivalves may also evade predators through burial into the substratum. Deeper burial confers greater refuge from predators, but increases the costs of ventilation. In a second experiment, we studied how burial depth of C. fluminea is affected by oxygen availability. Additionally, we examined whether clams changed burial depth following a simulated attack by a small predator, and whether this response was affected by oxygen availability. Our results offered partial support for the hypothesis that burial depth is reduced under hypoxic conditions, but the simulated attack did not affect burial depth in any oxygen treatments.     

Metallothionein response to cadmium and zinc exposures compared in two freshwater bivalves, Dreissena polymorpha and Corbicula fluminea

Metallothionein (MT) response to cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) bioaccumulation after single or combined direct exposure was compared in two freshwater bivalves, Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) and Corbicula fluminea (Asiatic clam). Bivalves were exposed to 0.133 μM Cd and/or 15.3 μM Zn, with metal and MT concentrations analysed in the whole soft body after 1, 3, 10 and 24 days of exposure and compared with controls. Results showed significant increase in MT concentrations in both species exposed to Cd and Cd+Zn with a higher accumulation of the protein compared to the control in D. polymorpha for nevertheless similar Cd levels accumulated with time. Exposure to Zn alone led to a significant increase in MT concentrations only in C. fluminea, whereas there was a lack of MT gene induction in the zebra mussels which was confirmed by MT mRNA quantification in gills (RT-PCR). Mussel mortality after 10 days of exposure to Zn and Cd + Zn is discussed with regard to detoxification mechanisms, which include metallothioneins.     

巢湖富营养化对河蚬和环棱螺分布及种群密度影响

2001年9月和2002年9月两次对巢湖河蚬和环棱螺的调查表明,在富营养化程度较重的西湖区,河蚬生物量分别为17.87和47.29 g·m^-2;环棱螺生物量分别为45.45和12.56 g·m^-2.而在富营养化程度较轻的东湖区,河蚬的生物量分别为67.86和96.18 g·m^-2;环棱螺的生物量分别为32.00和31.21 g·m^-2.河蚬和环棱螺的种群密度和生物量均随水体富营养化的加剧而下降.近岸带河蚬和环棱螺的密度和生物量明显高于敞水区.河蚬的分布型为核心型,而环棱螺更接近随机性分布.河蚬和环棱螺的种群密度和生物量与水深均无明显相关(P>0.05).环棱螺生物量与总氮TN、硝态氮NO₃-N、总磷TP和溶解性磷PO₄-P浓度呈显著负相关,而河蚬生物量仅与PO₄-P呈负相关.现有河蚬资源量与1981年相比有较大幅度的下降.探讨了其它环境因子对河蚬和环棱螺分布和生长的影响.     

蓝藻堆积对河蚬N2O释放通量及其肠道细菌群落结构的影响

【背景】底栖动物是湖泊生态环境的重要组成部分,在泥水界面氮迁移转化中扮演着重要的角色,是一个潜在的N_2O释放源,其N_2O释放量与栖息环境有关。蓝藻堆积区通常是湖泊N_2O释放的热点区域,其水质环境不同于无藻区。【目的】为了解蓝藻堆积与无藻堆积时底栖动物河蚬N_2O释放情况。【方法】采用室内微宇宙实验,以河蚬为研究对象,通过气相色谱和现代分子生物学相结合的技术测定蓝藻堆积区域底栖动物N_2O释放特征及其内在微生物学机制。【结果】蓝藻堆积区河蚬N_2O释放通量为447.2pmol/(ind·h),相比无藻区河蚬减少63%左右。河蚬肠道内总细菌及反硝化细菌对蓝藻堆积有不同的响应。454测序结果显示,无藻区河蚬肠道内细菌以变形菌门(β-和δ-变形菌纲)、绿弯菌门和拟杆菌门为主,三者相对丰度为67.3%,而蓝藻堆积区河蚬肠道细菌优势类群为变形菌门(α-和β-变形菌纲),相对丰度达到85.8%。Chao1和Shannon指数表明,蓝藻堆积区河蚬肠道细菌丰富度和多样性低于无藻区河蚬。对河蚬肠道内具有反硝化功能细菌进一步分析发现,蓝藻堆积区河蚬肠道内反硝化菌相对丰度可达到22.6%,是无藻区河蚬的2.3倍,反硝化作用得到增强。【结论】蓝藻堆积导致河蚬肠道内细菌丰富度和多样性降低,反硝化功能菌丰度增加,完全反硝化作用得以强化,导致河蚬N_2O释放通量降低。研究结果有助于揭示富营养化中湖泊底栖动物的环境效应,为湖泊温室气体控制提供理论支撑,具有重要的理论和现实意义。     

Geographic patterns and environmental correlates of phylogenetic relatedness and diversity for freshwater fish assemblages in North America

The tropical niche conservatism hypothesis suggests that most groups should be most phylogenetically clustered in cold, dry environments. This idea has been well-tested in plants and some animal groups, but not for fishes. We assess the geographic patterns of freshwater fish phylogenetic structure and investigate the relationships between these patterns and environmental variables across North America and within two biogeographic realms. Phylogenetic relatedness and diversity of 360 freshwater fish assemblages across North America were quantified with three metrics based on a well-dated phylogeny, and were related to 15 environmental variables using correlation and regression analyses. Geographically, the data were analyzed for North America as well as for separate biogeographic realms. We found that cold temperatures are the strongest determinant of phylogenetic clustering overall. However, in the arid west, clustering is most pronounced in the driest regions. In eastern North America, phylogenetic clustering increases at higher latitudes, while the reverse is true in western North America. The strongest phylogenetic clustering for freshwater fish assemblages on the continent is found in the most arid, rather than the coldest, climate in North America. Our results highlight that patterns of phylogenetic structure of freshwater fishes in North America are driven by both ecological and evolutionary processes that differ regionally.     

长江口滨岸带河蚬的时空分布特征及其指示作用

以长江口滨岸湿地生态系统习见的大型底栖动物河蚬为对象,研究了河蚬种群密度、生物量的时空分布特征,分析了河蚬及环境中悬浮颗粒物和沉积物中的重金属含量.结果表明,不同季节、不同采样点以及相同采样点的不同断面河蚬的分布都有差异.河蚬种群密度、生物量的季节分布趋势是春、秋两季＞夏季;其中,浒浦河蚬的年度平均种群密度与平均生物量最高;河蚬在崇明中潮滩的种群密度、生物量高于低潮滩和高潮滩.研究表明,河蚬对沉积物中的重金属元素Cu、Zn富集能力强,对Pb、Cr的富集能力弱,其中,河蚬体内Pb含量与沉积物中Pb含量呈显著负相关(R=-0.924,P<0.01).     

Introduced bivalves in freshwater ecosystems: the impact of Corbicula on organic matter dynamics in a sandy stream

Previous research on Corbicula fluminea (a well-established, non-native bivalve) has clearly shown that this single species impacts ecosystem processes such as nutrient and dissolved organic carbon cycling in the water column of streams. Surprisingly, little was known about how Corbicula might influence similar processes in streambed sediments. Here, we used both laboratory and field experiments to determine how filter- and pedal-feeding by Corbicula impact organic matter dynamics in the sandy streambed (Goose Creek, Virginia). Corbicula consumed significant quantities of organic material in the streambed when conditions favored pedal-feeding but increased buried organic matter stores when filter-feeding promoted deposition of organic matter (by production of feces and pseudofeces). Corbicula contributed significantly to total benthic community respiration (and thus carbon dioxide production), and used pedal-feeding on benthic organic material to grow at a faster rate than that possible by filter-feeding alone. Corbicula should be an important coupler between benthic and pelagic processes because this bivalve uses organic matter from both the water column and the stream sediments. Given the widespread occurrence of this species, we speculate that the introduction of Corbicula may have had major implications for organic matter dynamics in this and many other streams in the United States. Received: 5 October 1998 / Accepted: 6 February 1999     

Seroepidemiological study of norovirus infection in Aichi Prefecture, Japan

The serological prevalence of IgG antibody to seven NoV strains (GI.1, GI.4, GII.3, GII.4, GII.10, GII.12 and GII.15) among inhabitants aged 1–62 years of Aichi Prefecture, Japan was studied. Age-related seroprevalence was measured by ELISA using baculovirus-expressed recombinant VLP antigens. Seropositive rates for all seven VLP antigens gradually increased with age. Among the tested antigens, the highest seropositive rate was for the GII.4 strain. This result is consistent with the recent epidemic of NoV infection due to GII.4 strain in Japan.     

Detection of genogroup IV norovirus in wastewater and river water in Japan

Aims:  To test wastewater and river water in Japan for genogroup IV norovirus (GIV NoV).
Methods and Results:  Influent and effluent samples from a wastewater treatment plant and the Tamagawa River water samples were collected monthly for a year. The water samples were concentrated by the adsorption–elution method, using an HA electronegative filter with acid rinse procedure, followed by quantitative detection of GIV NoV using TaqMan-based real-time RT-PCR. Both wastewater and river water samples showed a high positive ratio of GIV NoV during winter and spring. The highest concentration in wastewater and river water was 6·9 × 10⁴ and 1·5 × 10⁴ copies l⁻¹, respectively.
Conclusions:  Presence of GIV NoV in the environments demonstrates that not only GI and GII NoVs but also GIV strains are circulating and that routine monitoring of GIV NoV in water environments is recommended to understand its epidemics, environmental distribution and potential health risks.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This is the first study providing quantitative data on the occurrence of GIV NoV in environmental water over a 1-year period.     

Dietary freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) extract suppresses accumulation of hepatic lipids and increases in serum cholesterol and aminotransferase activities induced by dietary chloretone in rats

We investigated the ameliorative effect of freshwater clam extract (FCE) on fatty liver, hypercholesterolemia, and liver injury in rats exposed to chloretone. Furthermore, we examined the effects of major FCE components (fat and protein fractions) to determine the active components in FCE. Chloretone increased serum aminotransferase activities and led to hepatic lipid accumulation. Serum aminotransferase activities and hepatic lipid content were lower in rats fed total FCE or fat/protein fractions of FCE. Expression of fatty acid synthase and fatty acid desaturase genes was upregulated by chloretone. Total FCE and fat/protein fractions of FCE suppressed the increase in gene expression involved in fatty acid synthesis. Serum cholesterol levels increased twofold upon chloretone exposure. Total FCE or fat/protein fractions of FCE showed hypocholesterolemic effects in rats with hypercholesterolemia induced by chloretone. These suggest that FCE contains at least two active components against fatty liver, hypercholesterolemia, and liver injury in rats exposed to chloretone.     

不同生物型烟粉虱体内Wolbachia共生菌的检测及其系统树分析

Wolbachia是广泛分布于节肢动物体内一类共生细菌,它能够通过多种机制调控宿主的生殖方式。近年来的研究表明,Wolbachia与许多外来生物的成功入侵相关。本文利用长PCR的方法特异扩增了不同生物型烟粉虱（共24个种群）体内Wolbachia的wsp基因,结果发现B型和Q型烟粉虱入侵种群体内均未检测到Wolbachia,而在非B/Q型的浙江种群和肯尼亚种群体内检测到了Wolbachia。对该wsp基因进行测序并和已知序列进行同源性分析发现,浙江烟粉虱种群的Wolbachia属于B组Con/Rug亚种群,而肯尼亚种群属于B组Btab1亚种群。Wolbachia的存在与否可能与烟粉虱的成功入侵有一定的关系。图2表2参23     

Genotyping and quantitation of noroviruses in oysters from two distinct sea areas in Japan

Norovirus (NV) is a causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in humans, and shellfishes including oysters act as major vehicles of the virus. To investigate the genetic characteristics of NVs, we collected 1,512 oysters for raw consumption between October 2002 and March 2005 from two distinct areas (area A: the Sanriku Sea area; area B: the Setouchi Sea area). We detected the capsid gene and subjected it to phylogenetic analysis. By further quantification of the copy number of the genome by using real-time PCR, the NV capcid gene was detected in approximately 5% of the oysters, and they showed wide diversity. Two percent of the oysters from area B showed relatively large number of NVs, i.e., over 100 copies of capsid gene/oyster, whereas this was not observed in area A. Most of the detected NVs from oysters and humans were genetically related when the capsid region was compared. These results suggested that NVs obtained from humans and those obtained from oysters showed a potential relationship to each other and that some populations of Japanese oysters accumulated a relatively large number of NVs.     

水体腐殖酸影响下河蚬对低浓度镉的蓄积和释放

研究了水体中低浓度镉(1μg?L-1)单独存在以及低浓度镉(1μg?L-1)和腐殖酸(1mg?L-1、10mg?L-1)共存情况下河蚬对低浓度镉的蓄积和释放,以了解实验室条件下水体腐殖酸对河蚬蓄积和释放的影响。在实验室中曝露15d内分别于1d、2d、3d、10d、15d取样,对比实验结果发现两种处理方式均存在镉在河蚬体内存在蓄积的现象,该蓄积效应与其蓄积时间呈显著线性正相关,但在腐殖酸影响下,河蚬对低浓度镉的蓄积减少。释放10d和20d的实验结果发现低浓度镉进入河蚬体内后难以释放。腐殖酸对镉从河蚬体内的释放效应影响极小。     

A Freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea) Extract Improves Cholesterol Metabolism in Rats Fed on a High-Cholesterol Diet

The effect of a freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) extract (FCE) on cholesterol metabolism in rats fed on a high-cholesterol diet was investigated. When rats were fed various amounts of FCE in addition to the high-cholesterol diet for 2 wk, the serum and hepatic cholesterol levels were gradually reduced in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with the control group. The excretion of neutral sterols and bile acids into the feces was increased by feeding FCE. Several phytosterols were detected in the feces of rats fed on the FCE-containing diet. In addition, substantial amounts of phytosterols were found in FCE. Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) mRNA in the liver of the rats fed on the FCE-containing diets was higher than that of rats fed on the high-cholesterol diets without FCE. These results may suggest that enhanced cholesterol degradation and the excretion of neutral sterols and bile acids contributed to the hypocholesterolemic effect of FCE observed in the hypercholesterolemic rats fed on the high-cholesterol diet.     

Immunological and cytotoxicological responses of the Asian clam,Corbicula fluminea (M.), experimentally exposed to cadmium

Abstract

Bivalve molluscs, as filter-feeding organisms, are known to accumulate metals that can produce deleterious effects on organisms. The phagocytic activity of haemocytes and lysosomal alterations in the digestive gland cells were measured in the freshwater Asian clam exposed to cadmium, in order to assess the possible use of immunocompetence and lysosomal responses as biomarkers of freshwater quality. Clams were exposed in the laboratory to nominal concentrations of 3, 10, 21.4, 46.5 and 100 µg l^?1 of cadmium and sampled after 7, 15 and 30 days of exposure. The results show a decrease of phagocytic activity after only 7 days of exposure to 10 µg l^?1 of cadmium. This response was also observed as the exposure time was increased. Lysosomes in the digestive cells increased in size and number after 7 days of exposure as cadmium concentration increased. After 30 days of exposure, a decrease in size and number indicated a change in the response to the metal from concentrations of 46.5 µg l^?1 of cadmium. A dose and time response both in phagocytic activity of haemocytes and lysosomal structure demonstrated a possible use of these biomarkers in freshwater biomonitoring.     

Immunological and cytotoxicological responses of the Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea (M.), experimentally exposed to cadmium

Bivalve molluscs, as filter-feeding organisms, are known to accumulate metals that can produce deleterious effects on organisms. The phagocytic activity of haemocytes and lysosomal alterations in the digestive gland cells were measured in the freshwater Asian clam exposed to cadmium, in order to assess the possible use of immunocompetence and lysosomal responses as biomarkers of freshwater quality. Clams were exposed in the laboratory to nominal concentrations of 3, 10, 21.4, 46.5 and 100 µg l^-1 of cadmium and sampled after 7, 15 and 30 days of exposure. The results show a decrease of phagocytic activity after only 7 days of exposure to 10 µg l^-1 of cadmium. This response was also observed as the exposure time was increased. Lysosomes in the digestive cells increased in size and number after 7 days of exposure as cadmium concentration increased. After 30 days of exposure, a decrease in size and number indicated a change in the response to the metal from concentrations of 46.5 µg l^-1 of cadmium. A dose and time response both in phagocytic activity of haemocytes and lysosomal structure demonstrated a possible use of these biomarkers in freshwater biomonitoring.     

Reproduction and development of the freshwater clam Corbicula australis in southeast Australia

The freshwater clam Corbicula australis is an important component of the macrobiota of the river systems of southeast Australia. Reproduction of two populations of this clam in the Nepean River at Douglas Park and Menangle was investigated to document the gametogenic cycle, larval morphology and to determine when they incubate embryos. C. australis is a simultaneous hermaphrodite and broods its young in the inner demibranchs. The gonads are ovotestes with oogenic and spermatogenic regions in each ascinus. The sperm are biflagellate, a condition unique in the Bivalvia to clonal corbiculids. Gametogenesis was continuous and did not exhibit a seasonal pattern. In contrast, spawning and incubation of embryos was limited to the warmer months of the year. Embryos were present in the gills from October to May. C. australis develops through a modified veliger larva with a vestigially ciliated velum which is not used for swimming or particle capture. The velum is covered by microvilli and it is suggested that the velar epithelium may be specialised for nutrient uptake in the marsupial environment. C. australis produces several clutches each year and the young are released as advanced juveniles with a well-developed foot. Reproductive output differed between the two populations. This was in part due to the larger size of the clams from Menangle and may also reflect the enhanced productivity at this site. The suite of life history traits exhibited by C. australis: hermaphroditism, potential for self-fertilization/androgenesis, brooding progeny to the crawl-away juvenile stage and a high reproductive output, provide for rapid colonization and population growth in this clam which typically inhabits disturbance prone sandy lotic habitats.     

Ecological resistance to the invasion of a freshwater clam,Corbicula fluminea: fish predation effects

Summary Fish predation is shown to have a twenty nine fold effect on the abundance of the invasive freshwater clam, Corbicula fluminea, in a Texas reservoir. This predation has prevented the clam from establishing the high densities commonly reported for it elsewhere. The high magnitude of the fish effect is attributed to Corbicula being an invader to this reservoir and not being able to cope well with the mix of resident fish species. In the absence of fish, colonization of the reservoir by Corbicula is spatially patchy. When fish interact with these clams, they remove sufficient numbers of individuals from dense patches to create the appearance of a spatially uniform distribution.