Physiological and Biochemical Thermal Stress Conditions of the Ribbed Mussel, Geukensia demissa, from Exposed and Less Exposed Areas in the Intertidal Salt Marsh on Tybee Island, Georgia.
Location
Session 1 (Room 1300)
Session Format
Oral Presentation
Your Campus
Statesboro Campus- Henderson Library, April 20th
Academic Unit
Department of Chemistry
Research Area Topic:
Natural & Physical Sciences - Biology
Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors
Dr. Worlanyo Eric Gato
Dr. Sophie B. George
Abstract
Geukensia demissa, the ribbed mussel, is a keystone species of Georgia’s coastline that is at risk of experiencing detrimental thermal stress due to climate change. G. demissa interacts positively with a species of salt marsh cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora. Mussels form aggregates beneath salt marsh cordgrass stems where they are shaded and less exposed to sun rays. However, some mussels end up in areas which lack cordgrass and are directly exposed to sun rays. Body temperatures of mussels from exposed areas were found to be higher than mussels from less exposed areas. Thermal stress levels of mussels can be indicated using heart rate. If exposed mussels acclimate to higher temperatures than less exposed mussels, then they may exhibit a higher maximum temperature tolerance point and lower heart rates at an elevated temperature. Exposed mussels were found to maintain lower heart rates than less exposed mussels after elevated temperature subjection. Mussels respond to thermal stress by upregulating the expression of heat stress proteins (HSPs). Mussels collected from less exposed areas had greater expression of most HSPs and responded to acute heat exposure with stronger upregulation of HSPs than those from exposed areas. This study supports that the presence of S. alterniflora in the intertidal salt marsh is important for the regulation of thermal stress conditions of G. demissa. Continuing to study G. demissa and other keystone intertidal species is incredibly important for understanding how the health of intertidal ecosystems can be maintained, despite climate change, for the good of both people and the planet.
Program Description
Geukensia demissa, a species of mussel on the coastline of Georgia, is at risk of experiencing detrimental thermal stress due to climate change. Shading provided by the mutualistic salt marsh grass, S. alterniflora, may have a role in the regulation of thermal stress conditions of G. demissa.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Restricted to Georgia Southern)
Start Date
4-20-2022 11:00 AM
End Date
4-20-2022 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Erber, Jody E., "Physiological and Biochemical Thermal Stress Conditions of the Ribbed Mussel, Geukensia demissa, from Exposed and Less Exposed Areas in the Intertidal Salt Marsh on Tybee Island, Georgia." (2022). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 66.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2022/2022/66
Physiological and Biochemical Thermal Stress Conditions of the Ribbed Mussel, Geukensia demissa, from Exposed and Less Exposed Areas in the Intertidal Salt Marsh on Tybee Island, Georgia.
Session 1 (Room 1300)
Geukensia demissa, the ribbed mussel, is a keystone species of Georgia’s coastline that is at risk of experiencing detrimental thermal stress due to climate change. G. demissa interacts positively with a species of salt marsh cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora. Mussels form aggregates beneath salt marsh cordgrass stems where they are shaded and less exposed to sun rays. However, some mussels end up in areas which lack cordgrass and are directly exposed to sun rays. Body temperatures of mussels from exposed areas were found to be higher than mussels from less exposed areas. Thermal stress levels of mussels can be indicated using heart rate. If exposed mussels acclimate to higher temperatures than less exposed mussels, then they may exhibit a higher maximum temperature tolerance point and lower heart rates at an elevated temperature. Exposed mussels were found to maintain lower heart rates than less exposed mussels after elevated temperature subjection. Mussels respond to thermal stress by upregulating the expression of heat stress proteins (HSPs). Mussels collected from less exposed areas had greater expression of most HSPs and responded to acute heat exposure with stronger upregulation of HSPs than those from exposed areas. This study supports that the presence of S. alterniflora in the intertidal salt marsh is important for the regulation of thermal stress conditions of G. demissa. Continuing to study G. demissa and other keystone intertidal species is incredibly important for understanding how the health of intertidal ecosystems can be maintained, despite climate change, for the good of both people and the planet.
