Chemical defence in mussels: antifouling effect of crude extracts of the periostracum of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis.

Bers, Valeria, D’Souza, F., Klijnstra, J. W., Willemsen, P. R. and Wahl, Martin (2006) Chemical defence in mussels: antifouling effect of crude extracts of the periostracum of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis. Biofouling, 22 (4). pp. 251-259. DOI 10.1080/08927010600901112.

[thumbnail of Bers_Biofouling.pdf] Text
Bers_Biofouling.pdf - Reprinted Version
Restricted to Registered users only

Download (551kB) | Contact

Supplementary data:

Abstract

Shells of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis remain free of fouling organisms as long as they possess an intact periostracum, and a multiple antifouling defence that comprises a ripple-like microtopography and the production of chemical antifouling compounds has been suggested previously. This study investigates the chemical defence strategy of blue mussels for the first time. Six crude extracts of the periostracum of intact shells were made using solvents of increasing polarity. These extracts were tested against common fouling organisms in laboratory based bioassays. Non-polar and moderately polar fractions showed the highest activities: the diethyl ether fraction strongly inhibited attachment of Balanus amphitrite cyprids and the marine bacteria Cobetia marina and Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus. Attachment of the benthic diatom Amphora coffeaeformis was significantly reduced by the dichloromethane extract, whereas both ethyl acetate and diethyl ether fractions slowed diatom growth. These results provide the first evidence of surface bound compounds that may moderate surface colonisation.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: Mytilus edulis; chemical defence; Balanus amphitrite; Amphora coffeaeformis; Cobetia marina; Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus; antifouling
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB3 Marine Ecology > FB3-EOE-B Experimental Ecology - Benthic Ecology
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Date Deposited: 03 Dec 2008 16:51
Last Modified: 06 Mar 2019 14:39
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/8056

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item