Larval settlement and metamorphosis of the invasive biofouler, Mytilopsis sallei, in response to ions and neuroactive compounds

ABSTRACT

In this study, we investigated larval settlement and metamorphosis of the invasive fouler Mytilopsis sallei exposed to ions, neurotransmitters and blockers inhibiting their respective actions. Excess K⁺ effectively induced larval settlement and metamorphosis, while the voltage-gated potassium channel blocker, TEA, significantly inhibited the K⁺ inducing effect, suggesting that a voltage-gated potassium channel may play a role in M. sallei settlement and metamorphosis. Excess Ca²⁺ did not induce larval settlement and metamorphosis, while Mg²⁺ and inhibited both. Among the neurotransmitters, GABA did not induce M. sallei larvae to settle and metamorphose at 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁴ M concentrations, while 5 × 10⁻⁵–10⁻⁴ M l-DOPA (a dopamine precursor), 5 × 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁴ M dopamine (an epinephrine precursor) and 5 × 10⁻⁵–10⁻⁴ M epinephrine significantly induced larval settlement and metamorphosis, indicating the presence of an epinephrine biosynthesis pathway in this species and its role in the regulation of larval settlement and metamorphosis. Furthermore, the inducing effect of dopamine on M. sallei settlement and metamorphosis was inhibited by SCH23390, a selective D1 dopamine receptor antagonist. Similarly, the inducing effect of epinephrine was inhibited by chlorpromazine, an α₁-adrenergic antagonist, suggesting that the D1 dopamine receptor and α₁-adrenoceptor may play active roles in the processes of settlement and metamorphosis of M. sallei larvae. Here, we have shown for the first time the responses of larval settlement and metamorphosis of dreissenid mussels to pharmacologically active compounds. The results provide new insights into the biochemical mechanisms underlying larval settlement and metamorphosis of M. sallei, which may be useful to develop effective strategies to control this invasive fouling organism.

RESPONSIBLE EDITOR:

• Manuela Truebano

KEYWORDS:

• Dreissenid mussels
• ions
• larva
• Mytilopsis sallei
• neurotransmitters
• settlement and metamorphosis

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Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 41276127); the Public Science and Technology Research Funds Projects of Ocean of China (Grant 201305016); the Science and Technology Major Project of Fujian Province (Grant 2014N0019); the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Fujian Province University; and the Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Corrosion and Bio-fouling, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences under MCKF201608.