Lysosomal membrane stability, phagocytosis and tolerance to emersion in the mussel Perna viridis (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) following exposure to acute, sublethal, copper.
The mytilid mussel Perna viridis is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region and is potentially a suitable candidate for biological effects (biomarker) monitoring in the subtropics. A suite of cytological and physiological responses to acute (48-72 h) copper exposures of 50-200 microgl(-1) were assessed in order to determine the suitability of P. viridis for marine pollution monitoring. Copper elicited significant destabilisation of the haemocyte lysosomal membranes and also impaired phagocytosis. Survival during emersion following exposure to copper was not related to the experimental copper exposures suggesting that higher metal concentrations may be required to interfere with anaerobic enzymes responsible for suppression of metabolism. Based on this preliminary study, cytological biomarkers evaluated in the haemocytes extracted from P. viridis should prove an effective non-destructive means of assessing metal pollution throughout the mussels subtropical range.
Nicholson
S
S
Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Cape d'Aguilar, Shek O, Hong Kong. shaun_nicholson@mouchel.com.hk
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006723:Hong Kong; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper