Phylogenetic differences in cardiac activity, metal accumulation and mortality of limpets exposed to copper: A prosobranch-pulmonate comparison

Taxonomic relationships for pollutant tolerance in marine invertebrates are surprisingly poorly known, despite being potentially useful for pollution biomonitoring. A popular view is that cellular and molecular adaptations for natural stress may be important in tolerating pollution. We compared the physiological and mortality responses to copper (Cu²⁺) of limpets from two different lineages: the Prosobranchia (Patellogastropoda: Helcion concolor and Cellana capensis) and the Pulmonata (Siphonaria serrata and Siphonaria capensis). Copper tolerance was apparently more closely related to phylogenetically-based physiology, than to tolerance of desiccation and or heat. The Siphonaria limpets were nearly an order of magnitude more tolerant of copper than the patellogastropod limpets, even though S. serrata has the lowest intertidal distribution. Initial copper exposure (0.25 ppm Cu²⁺ for 2 h) induced heart rate depression in Siphonaria (to around 50% of the baseline rate), while their tissue copper concentrations remained at the relatively high control levels. Copper exposure (0.25 ppm Cu²⁺ for 2 h) had no effect on heart rate of the patellogastropod limpets, but led to a significant increase in tissue copper. These results suggest that enhanced copper tolerance by Siphonaria relates to cardiac depression and a concomitant metabolic depression. Such physiological attributes are implicated in prolonged behavioural isolation, involving pneumostome closure and shell clamping, which is likely to reduce the uptake of copper. Furthermore, better regulation of internal copper levels by Siphonaria, is suggested by their exclusive possession of blood haemocyanin. Dependence on relatively high aerobic metabolism by the patellogastropod limpets, would limit their capacity for isolation and pollutant avoidance.