Effects of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense on the greenshell mussel Perna canaliculus

Abstract

Oxygen consumption, grazing rate, and byssus production of the greenshell mussel Perna canaliculus were measured following exposure to bloom concentrations (10⁶ cells l^?1 ) of a toxic clone of the dinoflagellate AIexandrium tamarense (GT429), using anon‐toxic clone of the same species (PLY173) as control. Following feeding for 1 h on GT429, mussels (dry weight 54–127 mg) showed significantly increased oxygen uptake at 15°C (0.08 μl O₂ (mg dry tissue weight)^?1 ) compared with control mussels. However, following 24 h recovery, oxygen uptake was similar to initial values in all experimental conditions. The grazing rate of P. canaliculus fed upon toxic clone GT429 was 4.58 ± 0.76 cells mg^?1 h^?1 compared with 1.99 ± 0.47 cells mg^?1 h^?1 for PLY173. On exposure to A. tamarense, mussels maintained normal opening behaviour and there was no change in the byssus production over 24 h. It was concluded that P. canaliculus showed no dramatic physiological effects following short‐term feeding on the toxic strain of A. tamarense. During 2 weeks’ exposure to twice daily bloom concentrations of GT429, there was no mussel mortality. Toxicity in the tissues was 1295 μg STX equivalent per 100 g tissue, levels at which these mussels would be unsuitable for human or animal consumption.