Regulation of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate content in mantle tissue of the sea musselMytilus galloprovincialis

6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFK-2) from the mantle of the sea musselMytilus galloprovincialis Lmk, collected from the Ría de Arosa (NW Spain) in 1990, was purified 550-fold by extraction and sequential affinity chromatography on Affi-gel Blue and ATP-agarose columns. The enzyme was a dimer with a native molecular weight of 100 kilodaltons (KDa) and a subunitM _r of 53 KDa. PFK-2 activity is dependent on the presence of P_i. At physiological P_i concentrations, the enzyme exhibits hyperbolic kinetics with both ATP and Fru-6-P, withK _m values of 0.62 and 0.37 mM respectively. In vivo, PFK-2 activity is limited by the concentration of Fru-6-P which is low in comparison with theK _m for this substrate. Citrate and PEP inhibited PFK-2 activity.     

NADP+-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase from Acropora formosa: purification and properties

As an initial step in our study of nitrogen metabolism in the coral/algal symbiosis we have purified glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.4) to homogeneity from polyp tissue of the staghorn coral Acropora formosa collected from Magnetic Island (North Queensland) in 1985–1986. The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 78 U mg^-1. The native enzyme had a relative molecular weight, M _r, of 360 000 (±20 000), and appears to be a hexamer with subunits of M _r=56000 (±3 000). Like the enzyme from other coelenterates, the coral glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was absolutely specific with respect to the coenzyme substrate (NADP⁺/NADPH), and was insensitive to allosteric regulation by nucleotides; unlike other coelenterate GDHs, the coral enzyme was absorlutely specific for ammonium as amino group donor in the reductive amination reaction, and major differences in kinetic properties were apparent. Linear Michaelis-Menten kinetics were observed for the substrates a-ketoglutarate, NADPH and NADP⁺, the K _m values being 0.93, 0.11 and 0.03 mM, respectively. However glutamate dehydrogenase displayed biphasic kinetics with respect to l-glutamate and ammonium, indicating two apparent K _m values (18 and 81 mM for l-glutamate and 9.2 and 416 mM for ammonium). The enzyme also exhibits Scatchard plots, Hill coefficients and cooperativity indices characteristic of enzymes displaying negative cooperativity.     

Change in the concentrations of iron in different size fractions during growth of the oceanic diatom Chaetoceros sp.: importance of small colloidal iron

 Laboratory culture experiments were performed to study the changes in size-fractionated Fe concentrations during the growth of the oceanic diatom Chaetoceros sp. Fe concentration was estimated for three size fractions: large labile particles (>0.2 μm), small colloidal particles (0.2 μm to 200 kDa) and soluble species (<200 kDa). The size-fractionated Fe concentration in the nutrient-enriched filtered seawater medium without diatom cells became stable within 4 d after the spike of FeCl₃ solution. Light irradiation by white fluorescent tubes with a 14 h light:10 h dark cycle did not significantly alter concentrations of the size-fractionated Fe. For the phytoplankton culture experiment, Fe-starved diatom cells were inoculated into the nutrient-enriched media aged for 19 d after the addition of FeCl₃. With the growth of diatom cells, total acid-labile Fe concentrations decreased from 0.60 to 0.46 nM during 7 d of incubation. However, only the concentration of the small colloidal particles showed a significant decrease; the concentration of the other size fractions remained relatively constant. Although the media still contained sufficient amounts Fe as large labile particles and soluble species, diatom cells appeared to be Fe-limited once Fe as small colloidal particles had been used up. These results suggest that Fe in the small colloidal particle fraction was the most dynamic size fraction during the growth of the diatom Chaetoceros sp. In addition, to better understand Fe dynamics in the ocean, we must consider the influence of phytoplankton growth on small colloidal Fe [which is typically included in the dissolved Fe fraction (<0.2 μm)]. Received: 9 December 1999 / Accepted: 5 May 2000     

Genetic variation and covariation during larval and juvenile growth in Mercenaria mercenaria

Quantitative genetic variances and covariances were estimated for shell length of the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria (L.) at three larval stages (prodissoconch I, 2 d and 10 d post-fertilization) in 1987 and in 1988 after ca. 9 mo of growth. At each sample interval additive genetic variance was a highly significant component of the total size variation. Narrow sense heritability estimates for shell length ranged between 0.58 (±0.10) for prodissoconch I and 1.08 (±0.29) for 2-d-old larvae. There was significant and positive genetic covariance in prodissoconch I and 2-d larval shell length which resulted in a highly significant genetic correlation (r _g=0.74) between these two traits. This covariance is not surprising since the prodissoconch I comprises the majority of the larval shell of a 2-d-old larvae. The genetic covariances between 2-d-old and 10-d-old larvae and between 10-d-old larvae and 9-mo-old juveniles were low and not significantly different from zero. These results indicate that there is substantial genetic variation for shell growth in M. mercenaria but this variation is not stable during development; the genetic variation in shell growth at one stage of development is not strongly related to the genetic variation in growth during other ontogenetic periods. In this study there were no evident constraints to natural selection for increased shell growth rate during development, which coupled with the high levels of genetic variation may suggest that in nature high rates of larval growth may not be normally subject to significant selective pressure.     

Modification of shell formation in the giant clam Tridacna gigas at elevated nutrient levels in sea water

The effect on shell formation of Tridacna gigas by sea water supplemented for 3 mo with ammonium (5, 10 M, N) and phosphate (2, 5, 10 M, P), separately or in combination, was examined. Exposure to N and N+P significantly enhanced shell-extension rates, but significantly reduced shell weights at equivalent size. Scanning-electron microscopy further revealed structural alterations in the outer shell layer, such as misshapen aragonite crystals, irregular crossed-lamellar orientation, and relatively porous shell microstructure. These observations are consistent with results of X-ray diffractometry on the shells which show distinct shifts in the positions of reflections from the (012) and (200) crystal planes relative to the control, indicating changes in crystal lattice parameters following addition of nutrients.     

Measurement of calcium carbonate deposition in molluscs by controlled etching of radioactively labeled shells

Rates of calcium carbonate removal from shell pieces of Argopecten irradians (Say) and Mercenaria mercenaria (L.) were dependent on the type of etching fluid used and not shell origin. Etching was uniform over the entire shell surface, but surface morphology differed with etching fluids. Peak radioactivity was in early eluant fractions of shells etched immediately after radioactive labeling, and in later fractions when individuals were placed in isotope-free seawater after labeling. The etching technique can measure growth during the labeling period and subsequently by estimating the amount of calcium in fractions prior to the radioactive peak. Geometry of shell layers influenced the pattern of radioactivity seen in fractions. Peak location varied inside and outside the pallial line of individual M. mercenaria. A significant portion of the inorganic carbon used in shell formation by M. mercenaria was derived from metabolic CO₂.     

Simultaneous, long-term monitoring of valve and cardiac activity in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis exposed to copper

Valve and cardiac activity were simultaneously measured in the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) in response to 10?d copper exposure. Valve movements, heart rates and heart-rate variability were obtained non-invasively using a Musselmonitor^® (valve activity) and a modified version of the Computer-Aided Physiological Monitoring system (CAPMON; cardiac activity). After 2?d exposure of mussels (4 individuals per treatment group) to a range of dissolved copper concentrations (0 to 12.5?M as CuCl₂) median valve positions (% open) and median heart rates (beats per minute) declined as a function of copper concentration. Heart-rate variability (coefficient of variation for interpulse durations) rose in a concentration-dependent manner. The 48?h EC₅₀ values (concentrations of copper causing 50% change) for valve positions, heart rates and heart-rate variability were 2.1, 0.8, and 0.06?M, respectively. Valve activity was weakly correlated with both heart rate (r?=?0.48?±?0.02) and heart-rate variability (r?=?0.32?±?0.06) for control individuals (0?M Cu²⁺). This resulted from a number of short enclosure events that did not coincide with a change in cardiac activity. Exposure of mussels to increasing copper concentrations (≥0.8?M) progressively reduced the correlation between valve activity and heart rates (r?=?0 for individuals dosed with ≥6.3?M Cu²⁺), while correlations between valve activity and heart-rate variability were unaffected. The poor correlations resulted from periods of valve flapping that were not mimicked by similar fluctuations in heart rate or heart-rate variability. The data suggest that the copper-induced bradycardia observed in mussels is not a consequence of prolonged valve closure.     

Biochemical and cytological bases of metamorphosis in Hydractinia echinata

Larvae of the marine hydroid Hydractinia echinata Fleming are induced to settle and metamorphose by contact with bacteria of the genus Alteromonas espejiana (Leitz and Wagner 1992). In previous studies the biochemical mechanism for the activation of the larvae was found to include the signal transduction pathway via the phosphatidylinositol cycle and a role for a kinase C-like enzyme was established. In the present investigation laboratory-reared larvae were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies against kinase C and experiments were conducted to investigate protein phosphorylation during initial metamorphic events. A polyclonal antibody against a synthetic peptide derived from a conserved retion of kinases C binds to an antigen in neurosensory cells of the anterior part of the larvae and corresponding nerve fibres. The Western blot reveals major binding to a protein of M_r (relative molecular mass)=67 and two minor bands at M_r=66 and 48. Assays in vivo show that 3 to 25 min after induction of metamorphosis the phosphorylation of a protein with M_r=30 is enhanced. A hypothesis about the mechanism of induction at the cellular and biochemical level is presented which combines most of the ideas now available from our and other groups.     

Shell-size selection by intertidal sympatric hermit crabs

This study evaluated selection for shell size by three species of tropical intertidal hermit crabs, Clibanarius antillensis, C. sclopetarius, and C. vittatus, from species of shells which are frequently used in nature. Crab size and weight were strongly and significantly related to all measured parameters of the selected shells. The strength of these relationships (r² values) depended neither on the crab nor on the shell variables taken into account. The relationships between crab size and the dimensions of the selected shells showed higher r² values than the corresponding relationships with the shells that the crabs had occupied when they were collected (0.482–0.903 in comparison to 0.091–0.652, respectively), indicating that the crabs were occupying sub-optimal shells in nature. Negative allometry was frequently found in the relationships between crab and shell variables, indicating that large crabs select and use proportionally lighter shells than do small crabs. This negative allometry was stronger for the shells used in nature (except for C. antillensis), i.e. larger crabs tended to select heavier shells in the laboratory than in nature. Different allometric relationships were also recorded among the dimensions of shells used in nature and those selected by the hermit crabs in free-access experiments: as shell length increased, the selected shells were heavier and had larger apertures than the shells used in nature. The relationships between crab size and the length and weight of the selected shells did not depend on the species of crab or species of shell, but only on crab size. Therefore, analyses using these variables can be performed without taking the species of crab or shell into account, i.e. data from different crab or shell species can be pooled. The influence of crab and/or shell species was recorded only in the models fitted for aperture length and width, variables which were more related to shell architecture than did shell length or weight. In contrast, if crab weight is used as an independent variable, different crab or shell species can be analyzed together independently of the particular shell parameter. This indicates that crab weight may be less susceptible than crab shield length to shell morphological constraints. Finally, the results indicate that the preferred size of a given shell type chosen by a given hermit crab will depend more on crab size or weight, than on the crab or shell species under consideration, i.e. crab shell-size relationships are not species specific.Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin     

Analysis of the relationship between growth and sexual maturation in Phacosoma japonicum (Bivalvia: Veneridae)

The relationship between shell growth and sexual maturation was studied in the venerid bivalve Phacosoma japonicum (Reeve) based on specimens from six populations around the Japanese coast in 1991 and 1992. A distinct latitudinal variation in the patterns of shell growth and gonad development was detected. Speciments from northern populations are characterized by slower rates of gonad development, later offset of interval of shell growth, and larger shell size at a given age than those from southern populations, excluding the population from the Ariake Bay, Kyushu. These data indicate the presence of a tradeoff between reproductive effort and continued growth in this species. However, in all populations bivalves attain sexual maturity before ending shell growth. First sexual maturity occurs at a shell size of about 60% of the maximum asymptotic shell height. Maximum reproductive effort appears to start when the energy available for shell growth (i.e., the yearly growth rate of shell weight) attains a maximum. These relationships between shell growth and sexual maturation were also confirmed in some other bivalve species.     

Isolation of novel metal-binding proteins distinct from metallothionein from spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) ovaries

Metal-binding proteins were isolated from ovaries of the spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus and the Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus collected in 1988 near Port Aransas, Texas, USA. Gel-filtration analysis of spotted seatrout trout ovarian cytosolic fraction on Sephadex G-75 revealed the presence of three zincbinding protein fractions. A major zinc/calcium-binding protein fraction had a low molecular weight (M _r)(6 000 to 10 000), similar to mammalian hepatic metallothionein (MT). All the metals were displaced from this fraction following saturation with exogenous cadmium. After exposure of Atlantic croaker to 2 mg cadmium l^–1 seawater for 2 mo, the majority of the cadmium in the ovarian cytosolic fraction was associated with a similar low molecular weight protein fraction. These proteins were further purified by heat treatment and sequential acetone precipitation. Three isoforms were isolated by reversephase high-performance liquid chromatography. All the isoforms were found to be distinct from mammalian MT, based on amino acid composition. The major isoform contained low amounts of cysteine (approximately 5 residues per molecule) and aromatic amino acids, compared to high amounts of cysteine (typically 17 to 20 residues/molecule) and a lack of aromatic amino acids for mammalian MT. All the ovarian protein isoforms contained more glutamate than mammalian MT. The spotted seatrout and Atlantic croaker ovarian isoforms showed a high degree of homology with metal-binding proteins isolated from mammalian gonadal tissues. The results suggest a physiological role for these metal-binding proteins in developing vertebrate ovaries as well as an involvement in the sequestration of cadmium following environmental exposure.     

Induced triploidy in the soft-shelled clam Mya arenaria: energetic implications

Given that triploid adult bivalves reportedly grow larger and faster than their diploid siblings, such differences should be traceable to variation in energy allocation. In one proposed mechanism, retarded gametogenesis found in triploid adults may allow them more energy for somatic growth. Another hypothesis states that triploids are more heterozygous; increased heterozygosity has been positively correlated with enhanced growth. Juvenile soft-shelled clams, Mya arenaria, were treated with cytochalasin B to induce triploidy and examined with respect to components of a balanced energy equation (C=P+R+E). The variables measured were oxygen uptake (V _{o 2}), filtration rate (FR), dry tissue weight, shell length, shell height and shell inflation. Energy budgets were constructed and diploid and triploid groups compared. Few significant differences were found between diploid and triploid juvenile clams with respect to energy budget components. However, at seven loci assayed electrophoretically the triploid individuals were nearly twice as heterozygous as their diploid siblings. Moreover, tripoloid variances were less than diploid variances for every variable measured. Increased heterozygosity has been correlated with the decreased variance of morphological parameters. This study is believed to be the first to show decreased variance of physiological properties as well as morphological characters. Overall the data clearly indicate that energy allocation in juvenile M. arenaria is not related to ploidy.     

Two different proteases produced by a deep-sea psychrotrophic bacterial strain,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pseudoaltermonas</Emphasis> sp. SM9913

A psychrotrophic bacterial strain, Pseudoaltermonas sp. SM9913, was isolated from deep-sea sediment collected at 1,855 m depth. Two proteases produced by Pseudoaltermonas sp. SM9913 were purified, MPC-01 and MCP-02. MCP-01 is a serine protease with a molecular weight of 60.7 kDa. It is cold-adapted with an optimum temperature of 30–35°C. Its K_m and E_a for the hydrolysis of casein were 0.18% and 39.1 kJ mol^–1, respectively. It had low thermostability, and its activity was reduced by 73% after incubation at 40°C for 10 min. MCP-02 is a mesophilic metalloprotease with a molecular weight of 36 kDa. Its optimum temperature for the hydrolysis of casein was 50–55°C. The K_m and E_a of MCP-02 for the hydrolysis of casein were 0.36% and 59.3 kJ mol^–1, respectively. MCP-02 had high thermostability, and its activity was reduced by only 30.5% after incubation at 60°C for 10 min. At low temperatures, Pseudoaltermonas sp. SM9913 mainly produced the psychrophilic protease MCP-01.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

Growth and content of energy reserves in juvenile sea scallops,Placopecten magellanicus,as a function of swimming frequency and water temperature in the laboratory

The effects of swimming frequency and water temperature on shell growth, tissue mass, and stored energy reserves of juvenile sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus Gmelin, were examined in a factorial laboratory experiment spanning six weeks in July and August 1992. Individually tagged scallops of similar initial size (22.5±0.1 mm shell height, n=240) were induced to swim to exhaustion at three different swimming frequencies (every day, twice a week, or not at all) in two different water temperature regimes (4 to 7 or 7 to 13°C). The scallops were fed an ad libitum mixture of cultured microalgae. At the end of the experiment, cumulative increase in shell height, dry weight of soft tissues, condition index of dry adductor muscle (adductor muscle dry weight/soft tissue dry weight x 100) and total carbohydrate content of dry adductor muscle were measured for each scallop. Scallops at the higher temperature had significantly greater shell heights, and were in better metabolic condition as evidenced by significantly higher condition indices and muscle carbohydrate contents. The dry soft tissue weights did not differ significantly from their low temperature counterparts. Swimming frequency had no significant effect on shell height, dry tissue weight, or carbohydrate content, but condition index of the adductor muscle increased significantly with swimming frequency. These results show that not only was there no cumulative cost of swimming in terms of shell growth, total soft tissue weight, or carbohydrate content in young scallops, but that condition of adductor muscle tissue was higher in scallops that swam.     

Chemical and structural characteristics of statoliths from the short-finned squid Illex illecebrosus

Statoliths of the short-finned squid Illex illecebrosus were chemically analyzed to define their chemical composition and surveyed by scanning electron microscope to differentiate internal structural patterns. X-ray diffraction data demonstrated that I. Illecebrosus statoliths were composed principally of CaCO₃ in the aragonite crystal form. The crystals occurred in a protein matrix to form incremental patterns which radiated from the nucleus to the edge of the statoliths. The protein matrix comprised approximately 5% of the statolith by weight. The protein was principally composed of acidic amino acids. A high abundance of aspartic acid in the protein matrix indicated that the matrix would function as a template in the initiation and acceleration of the crystal growth of CaCO₃. The rhythmic microstructural patterns, constructed of aragonite crystals in the protein matrix, were suggested to be daily in formation and subsequent growth estimations were in agreement with known life history information. The stable isotopic composition of the carbonate of I. illecebrosus statoliths suggested that oxygen may be deposited in isotopic equilibrium with the surrounding environment while carbon appeared to be related to biological processes. The information recorded in the statoliths as incremental growth and stable isotopic composition could provide valuable insights into the ecological history of squid.     

Ultrastructural analysis of dissolution of shell of the bivalve Mytilus edulis by the accessory boring organ of the gastropod Urosalpinx cinerea

The shell penetrating mechanism of the muricid gastropod Urosalpinx cinerea follyensis Baker was examined with reference to solubilizing effects of the secretion of the accessory boring organ (ABO) on the ultrastructural organic and mineral components of the shell of the bivalve Mytilus edulis Linné. The fine structure of shell etched by the secretion was contrasted with normal shell and shell solubilized artificially by acids, a chelating agent, and enzymes as an aid in interpreting the pattern etched by the secretion. A synoptic series of scanning electron micrographs of representative regions of the normal shell of M. edulis was prepared to serve as a standard for ultrastructural interpretation of the patterns of dissolution. Intercrystalline conchiolin of the mosaicostracal, prismatic, myostracal, and nacreous strata was dissolved as readily as the periostracum by the ABO secretion. In the prismatic region, maximum depth of dissolution of intercrystalline organic matrix occurred when long axes of prisms were approximately perpendicular to the surface being dissolved. Microscopic solubilization of organic matrix noticeably preceded dissolution of mineral crystals, revealing subsurface prisms and lamellae similar in size and form to the distinctively shaped normal shell units. After solubilization of intercrystalline conchiolin, further dissolution by the ABO secretion revealed a variety of what appeared like internal structures in prisms and lamellae. The form of these subunits varied from that of platelets to nodules in prisms and from laths to nodules in lamellae. These intracrystalline patterns of dissolution probably resulted from preferential etching of (a) soluble intracrystalline conchiolin membranes or other internal aggregates of nacrin, (b) heterogeneously distributed trace and minor elements, or (c) from both. Carriker and Williams (1978) hypothesized that a combination of HCl, chelating agents, and enzymes in a hypertonic mucoid secretion released by the ABO dissolve shell during hole boring. The similarity of patterns of dissolution etched by the ABO secretion and those produced artificially by HCl and EDTA in the present study support the hypothesis that these chemicals, or chemicals similar to them, are constituents of the ABO secretion. Lactic and succinic acids and a chitinase-like enzyme were also suggested by Carriker and Williams as possible agents in shell dissolution. Alteration of the shell surface by experimental application of these, and other, chemical agents was not sufficiently comparable to that etched by the ABO secretion to support the suggestion. Preferential dissolution of shell matrix by the ABO secretion is functionally advantageous to boring gastropods because it increases the surface area of mineral crystals exposed to solubilization and facilitates removal of shell units from the surface of the borehole by the radula.     

Habitat structure,population abundance and the opportunity for selection on body weight in the amphipodEogammarus oclairi

The importance of oyster-shell habitat-characteristics (depth of the shell layer or degree of fragmentation) to the amphipodEogammarus oclairi were studied in Grays Harbor estuary (Washington, USA) in regard to their effect on local density ofE. oclairi, the risk of predation by juvenile Dungeness crabsCancer magister, and the opportunity for selection on body weight during pairing.E. oclairi was the most abundant macrofaunal species in the intertidal oyster-shell assemblages (density range = 20 to 8500 amphipods m^–2), and its density was positively correlated with the depth of the oyster-shell layer (r = 0.85,n = 30,p < 0.005). Field experiments showed that amphipod density was much lower when oyster shells were whole (x = 340.7 ± 72.1,n = 10) as opposed to fragmented [x = 41.4 ± 9.3,n = 10;t _c (Welch's approximatet-test) = 13.0,df = 9.3,p < 0.05]. Densities of a predator, juvenileC. magister, were not affected by depth of the shell layer nor by degree of fragmentation (whole shell,x = 14.6 ± 13.0 crab;fragmented shell,x = 18.7 ± 2.4 crab;t _c = 0.83,df = 9.7,p > 0.05). Predation rate on single amphipods by crabs did not differ between habitat types (whole shells vs fragmented shells), but mating pairs were consumed more often in the whole-shell treatment (whole shell,x = 0.9 ± 0.8, fragmented shell,x = 0.1 ± 0.3). There were no differences in the size of single amphipods (both sexes) consumed between treatments, or in the size of the paired males consumed. Field experiments showed that the opportunity for selection (i) on male body weight increased with increasing amphipod density which, in turn, increased with increasing degree of shell fragmentation (whole-shell treatment,i = 0.0014 ± 0.0002, fragmented-shell treatment,i = 0.3756 ± 0.0338). Large spatial and temporal fluctuations in population abundance complicate the evaluation of the importance of selection in determining traits such as body weight.     

Low molecular-weight factor from Plesiastrea versipora (Scleractinia) that modifies release and glycerol metabolism of isolated symbiotic algae

When symbiotic dinoflagellate algae (Symbiodinium sp., isolated from the coral Plesiastrea versipora) were incubated with NaH¹⁴CO₃ in the light in seawater, they released 22.69±9.16 nmol carbon/10⁶ algae. Release of photosynthetically fixed carbon was stimulated more than six-fold for algae incubated in host-tissue homogenate (148.54±97.03 nmol C/10⁶ algae) and more than four-fold (102.00±49.16 nmol C/10⁶ algae) for algae incubated in a low molecular weight fraction (≤1 000 M _r ) prepared from host homogenate. Soluble released ¹⁴C-labelled products, as determined by chromatography and autoradiography, were the same when algae were incubated in either host homogenate or the low molecular weight fraction. After 4 h incubation in the light (300 mol photons m⁻² s⁻¹),␣intracellular␣glycerol increased in algae incubated with the low molecular weight fraction (an increase of 0.39 to␣0.67 nmol glycerol/10⁶ algae) compared with little or no increase in algae incubated in seawater (0 to 0.12 nmol glycerol/10⁶ algae). Partial inhibition of triglyceride synthesis (up to 51%) was also observed when algae were incubated in the low molecular weight fraction. All these effects are the same as those observed when algae were incubated in host homogenate. These data indicate that the “host release-factor” activity of P.␣versipora is a compound of low molecular weight. Received: 13 February 1997 / Accepted: 24 October 1997     

Inducible defenses in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica Gmelin in response to the presence of the predatory oyster drill Urosalpinx cinerea Say in Long Island Sound

The response of the eastern oyster C. virginica to the presence of the oyster drill Urosalpinx cinerea was examined from July to September 2011. Several aspects of oyster growth were measured, including wet weight, shell weight, and dorsal shell area for oysters collected near Groton, Connecticut (41.32036 N, −72.06330 W). Wet weight and shell weight growth were significantly higher in the presence of the predator U. cinerea, while tissue weight showed no difference from the control. The control group showed more shell area growth and a much lower ratio of shell weight growth to shell area growth. Differences in shell weight to area ratio indicated that C. virginica dramatically shifted from lateral shell growth to shell thickening in the presence of U. cinerea. This inducible defense has not been previously shown for C. virginica and could play an important role in the predator–prey interaction between these two species.     

Uptake and incorporation of mercury into mercury-binding proteins of gills of Mytilus edulis as a function of time

Individuals of Mytilus edulis (collected from Sequim Bay, Washington, in April and August, 1980) were exposed to 5 g l^-1 mercury as HgCl₂ for 28 d. Gill mercury accumulation, mercury incorporation into the soluble fraction and low molecular weight, mercury-binding proteins of gills, and induction of these mercury-binding proteins were determined as a function of time. Short-term mercury uptake rates of excised gills were also determined for mussels sampled at intervals during exposure. Gill mercury accumulation occurred in three phases, represented by net uptake phases initially (up to Day 4) and toward the end of the exposure (Days 15 to 28), and an intermediate stable phase (Days 4 to 15). The stable phase was associated with induction of the predominant mercury-binding proteins and mercury incorporation into the proteins. After Day 15, the mercury-binding proteins were saturated and spillover of mercury into high molecular weight proteins had occurred. This was associated with saturation of the soluble fraction, increases of mercury on particulate fractions, and a loss of the ability of gills to maintain stable mercury concentrations. Mercury uptake rates of gills were not affected by the 28 d exposure of the whole organism.