title: Pathogenic marine microbes influence the effects of climate change on a commercially important tropical bivalve.
abstract: There is growing evidence that climate change will increase the prevalence of toxic algae and harmful bacteria, which can accumulate in marine bivalves. However, we know little about any possible interactions between exposure to these microorganisms and the effects of climate change on bivalve health, or about how this may affect the bivalve toxin-pathogen load. In mesocosm experiments, mussels, Perna viridis, were subjected to simulated climate change (warming and/or hyposalinity) and exposed to harmful bacteria and/or toxin-producing dinoflagellates. We found significant interactions between climate change and these microbes on metabolic and/or immunobiological function and toxin-pathogen load in mussels. Surprisingly, however, these effects were virtually eliminated when mussels were exposed to both harmful microorganisms simultaneously. This study is the first to examine the effects of climate change on determining mussel toxin-pathogen load in an ecologically relevant, multi-trophic context. The results may have considerable implications for seafood safety.
authors: Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: Lucy M
authors: LM
authors: Turner
authors: Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Alsterberg
authors: Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, United Kingdom.
authors: Andrew D
authors: AD
authors: Turner
authors: Department of Fishery Microbiology, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, 575002, India.
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Girisha
authors: Department of Fishery Microbiology, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, 575002, India.
authors: Ashwin
authors: A
authors: Rai
authors: Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: Jonathan N
authors: JN
authors: Havenhand
authors: Department of Fishery Microbiology, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, 575002, India.
authors: M N
authors: MN
authors: Venugopal
authors: UNESCO-MIRCEN for Medical and Marine Biotechnology, Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research (NUCSER), Nitte University, Mangalore 575018, India.
authors: Indrani
authors: I
authors: Karunasagar
authors: Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Godhe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D057231:Climate Change; D017753:Ecosystem; D008387:Marine Toxins
chemical_list: D008387:Marine Toxins