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Effects of temperature, nutritive and metal stressors on the reproductive biology of Mytilus edulis

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Abstract

Experimental observations suggest that the gametogenic cycle of Mytilus edulis from Swansea Bay, South Wales (U.K.) is adversely modified by the combined effects of temperature, nutritive and sublethal metal-induced stress. During low temperature stress, oogenesis remained in the vegetative stage and vitellogenesis only commenced when temperatures were raised to ambient levels. Copper was the most toxic metal, although its uptake was slowest. A concentration of 0.05 mg l-1 of this metal proved lethal at ambient temperatures, although at low temperatures there was no mortality. Copper suppressed both the growth of young oocytes and vitellogenesis in larger oocytes. Zinc was less toxic than copper, although this also inhibited oocyte development and resulted in severe lysis of gametes. Cadmium was the least toxic of the three metals studied and suppressed gametogenesis only in the initial stages of gonad development. The low toxicity of cadmium to gametogenesis may be a result of its high solubility and its possible storage in the digestive gland.

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Author notes

  1. U Maung Myint

    Present address: People's Pearl and Fishery Corporation of Burma, Merchant Street, Rangoon, Burma

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oceanography, University College of Swansea, Singleton Park, SA2 8PP, Swansea, Glamorgan, South Wales, UK

    U Maung Myint & P. A. Tyler

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  1. U Maung Myint
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  2. P. A. Tyler
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Communicated by J. Mauchline, Oban

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Myint, U.M., Tyler, P.A. Effects of temperature, nutritive and metal stressors on the reproductive biology of Mytilus edulis . Marine Biology 67, 209–223 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00401287

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